Kirkwood

Trail Overview

The Kirkwood single track starts at a dirt parking lot off of Highway 287 next to Hebgen Lake, at the Kirkwood Trailhead. As it leaves the parking lot, you get nice views of the lake. It climbs up into the mountains for the next 5 miles. It goes up a series of tight switchbacks as it ascends from the lake. The switchbacks are smooth and pretty gradual, with no rocks, so they aren't that difficult, but they are pretty tight and might require a multiple-point turn. The trail side-hills between each switchback. It starts to descend back downhill for the last 2 miles, and it gets much rockier and covered in small roots. There are several sections full of bigger football-sized embedded rocks, and the dirt is slippery, mixed in with roots, which makes it difficult. The hardest parts are right before it intersects with Red Cub single track, as the trail is not only really rocky but also steep. It would be more difficult coming uphill through the rocks going north to south. You can't let your guard down during the northern half of this trail, as the rocks require tight maneuvers, and there are several muddy spots that come up suddenly around blind corners.

Photos of Kirkwood

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Difficulty

This is an intermediate trail that has several steeper sections that are full of bigger embedded rocks and roots, that require intermediate skill and tight maneuvering to navigate. There are several moderate switchbacks as well.

Technical Rating