Change up! Instead of singletrack, we rode a gravel loop that went back into remote country. Our ride was 22 miles with 2980′ of climbing up to a highpoint around 7300′.
Starting from underneath the trestle bridge in Thompson Park that we rode the other day, we rode up the pavement for a couple miles. Climbing from the start is always tough but at least it was on pavement. There is little to no traffic as there aren’t many houses back up this way. Roosevelt Drive turns into gravel and continues as Moose Creek Road. The gravel is good and while we didn’t see any moose, we passed Basin Creek Reservoir and lots of trees.
It’s a continuous climb up through the forest and it’s here that we passed a group of bikepackers that were fully loaded down. When we came to the trailhead for the CDT Bear Gulch section, we turned left on Highland Road (gravel) and headed up some more. At about the 8 mile point we turned left on a small gravel road called Camp Creek Road. This part got steep with some switchbacks and good views though it was a bit hazy out. Our “destination” was a ghost town called Highland and after a screaming descent we hung a left to get to it.
It was a boom town between 1865 and 1875 and produced lots of gold. Highland City boasted 300 houses, 10 saloons and five dance halls in the boom years however there isn’t much left. There are still many miners cabins at the site along with a cemetery. One of the buildings still “standing” is the brewery building but it could collapse at any moment.
Back on the bikes we rode down the fish creek valley and hung a left on Black Trail Creek Road for our second big climb. The gravel road here was a bit more rough as we climbed up past Limekiln Hill. The CDT passes right here but we continued down the gravel road for a rip roaring descent. Check your brakes, the first 2 miles drops almost 1000′! The descent took us back to the pavement for the final section to our start point.
This lollipop route is perfect with a mix of gradual and hard climbs, scenery, and solitude. There are a myriad of other gravel roads out here to explore. In fact, one looks like it takes you all the way to I-15! The smoke rolled in and we are rolling out but have enjoyed our weeks in the Butte area.
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