Sam Braxton MTB Loop

This loop was named after a Missoula rider and from what I believe owns or has owned a bike shop here. Its a great little singletrack loop to introduce beginners and for others like myslf to work on bike handling skills. The downhill is awesome with wide sweeping switchbacks and rocket speed singletrack. I climbed the Pattee Canyon Road and wasnt in favor of having much fun when I did it. I was exhausted. But this little loop brought me tolife and I had great yahoo yelling fun.

The route is very complicated because this area is a nordic area in the winter and a very well used trail system in the summer. Start out by taking the trail to the right and watch for a Sam Braxton sign on the left then turn and follow the single track up.

The rest is fuzzy because I got lost but here is my recomendation. You will get lost so maybe a couple trail experiments will be needed. This only happens once ... right? You will reach a 4 way. I suggest taking a left and climb around to a decent that is very technicle (it scared me).

Go downhill untill you see the trail go left (ignore the two overgrown trails). From here it is the long decent on the sweeping switchbacks. Signs point the way, they are big white arrows. Follow trail to completion ending up in the parking lot you started in.

UPDATE(6/23/2005):

There is much more to this ride than the first time I rode it. I am currently trying to put together a real cool loop, or at least map all the trails. Stay Tuned! My instincts were right as I stated above to take a left at the four way intersection. This will lead to a dirt road that makes its way to the top of a ridge then as you reach near the top veer right and end up on top of the downhill that scared me the first time. Of course this is not scary any more.