As we move into the heart of summer, there are several trail notices we want to make you aware of. While almost everything is fully melted out—are there still some patches of snow on the Hyalite Creek trail—the Forest Service and Department of Natural Resource Conservation are both working in popular riding areas, leading to closures that will impact your riding.

Here’s what you need to know.

Leverich

Starting July 1, the Forest Service closed the Leverich Canyon loop and the short connector to the Moser system. This is to allow for fuel reduction work in connection with the Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project. Per their press release, the closure could last until October 30, although we’re holding out hope that work will wrap up long before that. Until we hear different, Leverich is closed to all uses 24/7.

We know this is a very popular trail and will create significant traffic at other trailheads. As always, consider other users when out having a good time. All trails in the Custer Gallatin and across agencies in the Bozeman area are multi-use, and you should expect to encounter people coming up or down any trail you are riding. Slow down, be nice, have fun. We get to do this for free!

While not open to bikes, Kirk Hill is also closed during this time, which will displace hikers and distribute them onto other trails. Again, expect impacts to some of the places we ride often, like South Cottonwood and Moser.

Emerald Lake

In upper Hyalite, the East Fork Hyalite Road will be closed July 15-19 and July 29 through August 16. The Forest Service is paving the road to the Palisade trailhead. This closure is for all uses from mile marker 0 to the Palisade trailhead, so Emerald Lake is off limits until work is complete. On the plus side, the ride to the trailhead won’t be quite as bumpy.

Bridger-Bangtail Projects

Thanks to funding from the Great American Outdoor Act, the Custer Gallatin is undertaking long overdue maintenance on several trails open to mountain bikes in the Bridgers. According to a press release from June 25, work will commence “in late June,” and we know they have already wrapped work on Truman. Contractors have moved on to portions of the Foothills trail between Sac Pass and Bostwick, and roads in the Bangtails including Upper Jackson Creek and Middle Fork Willow Creek. Starting Wednesday, July 10, expect closures on the Foothills trail from Truman to Ross Pass, which should last about two weeks. These closures only apply to Monday through Friday. At that time, machine work will continue from Ross Pass 1.5 miles north along the Foothills trail. That closure is expected to last until August 7, although timelines are subject to change based on progress, weather, etc.

Additionally, the Forest is also treating non-native weeds on the M trail July 10-12, and while there won’t be closures, you should expect staff on ATVs, so this might be a good time to avoid that trail altogether until work is complete.

Timeshare Closures

Beyond these temporary closures, it’s important to remember and plan for seasonal timeshare closures on trails in the West Bridgers and upper Hyalite. Starting July 16 through September 4, mountain bikers are not allowed on certain trails on certain days. Advocates fought hard to retain access to these trails on all other days and times of year during Travel Planning over a decade ago, so it’s important to show restraint and ride elsewhere during these times. Weekends are a great time to get away and sample some of the awesome regional riding and backcountry gems we have available to us.