Ben Lemond Station Road

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Unknown

This is an awesome backcountry doubletrack leading to/from the even more awesome Moonlight Track backcountry singletrack. This backcountry gravel farm road passes through stunning terrain and you're likely to have the place to yourself save for the cattle and sheep.

Starting from Moke Lake, you'll pass a gate onto the farm road. The first 3.5 miles are relatively easy going along the eastern side of Moke Creek Valley. The crystal clear Moke Creek meanders its way slowly lower in elevation as you head north along Ben Lemond Station Road.

At 3.5 miles, you've got a half mile, 300 ft plunge down to the creek. You'll cross an icy (in the winter and early spring) tributary to Moke Creek and then you've got a half mile, 300 ft climb back up to continue your journey a few hundred feet above the valley floor.

At 4.5 miles, you'll pass the remains of Sefferstown, a historical gold mining community, but there really isn't much left to see. You might want to take a break at Sefferstown, because after that you've got a mile of climbing at about 10% (average) grade. Also, you'll enjoy a beautiful view to the north up the valley formed by Moonlight Creek.

There is a fork in the road at Sefferstown. Continue to the right to head towards Moonlight Track. The left fork takes you north into that beautiful valley, but that might be more epic than most people want. Below you, Moke Creek flows into Moonlight Creek, which is a bit more turbulent on its way to the Shotover River.

At the high point at 5.3 miles, a steep trail rises to the right which goes to Ben Lemond Peak. Ben Lemond Station Road continues for a quarter mile where it forks into two separate trails. Moonlight Track continues to the right at this fork. The left fork heads down and over the Moonlight Creek.

This trail traverses the private Ben Lemond Station farm, so tread lightly. Be sure to leave any gates that you encounter in the same position that you've found them. And be careful not to spook any farm animals that you may encounter.