Woods Gulch Trail Missoula

One of my favorite bike rides is the Woods Gulch trail in Missoula.  To get there go up Rattlesnake Drive and at the entrance to the Rattlesnake Recreation Area take a right turn instead of going left to the Main Trailhead.  You will go about a half mile up Woods Gulch road.  The road turns into a private road and there are a couple of parking spots at the little trail head.

The Woods Gulch Trail goes up.  It is a tough grind up on a bike.  In the last few years there has been a new bridge added and an extension of the trail has been added to eliminate a fairly steep section of the trail.  This addition added a very rocky shale section.

The Bridge on the Woods Gulch Trail February 2009. This is as far as I got up the trail, the snow made it a lot of work.

This is one of my favorite workout climbs.  The climb is all ride able but it is a good chunk of work. 
As you get near the top there is a split in the trail both splits end up on the old logging road. The right hits the logging road and then continues up toward Sheep mountain. If you look off to the right on the logging road you are overlooking the old Marshall Ski Area.

Going right on the logging road will take you down to the Marshal Canyon road. Going left on the logging road will take you to the Three Larch Trail.

Rick Kern

Kim Williams Trail Missoula

The Kim Williams Trail is one of the most popular walking, biking, running, commuting trails in Missoula.  It follows the old Milwaukee Road train railbed heading east on the south side of the river.

This picture shows the path heading to the river at the Chestnut Street Access.

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Caras Park Missoula

Possibly the cultural center of Missoula Caras Park. This used to be the unkempt edge of the Clark fork. Then Restoration of Downtown Missoula and the creation of Caras Park. Now there are three foot bridges connecting the two sides of the river and trails on both sides.

Music and food vendors every Wednesday Noon and Thursday night. A Carousel for Missoula and Dragon Hollow with lots of parking for downtown Missoula and events at Caras Park. The development of Caras park and the river footbridge and walkway system has been awesome.

The most recent addition of Brennan’s Wave is just more fun in Missoula.

The Caras Park Big Top.  This is the tent that many of the events in Caras Park use for shade and protection from the rain.

The Caras Park Grandstand.  Room to sit and watch the music that is often playing in the Circle.

Bicycle Sculptures used as Bicycle racks

Bark Park Missoula

The City of Missoula has designated the eastern part of Jacob’s Island as Bark Park Missoula. This is an area where dogs and their owners can play.  The island is between the University of Montana Field house and East Gate shopping center. The University Foot Bridges accesses the island from either the University side or the Broadway East Gate shopping center side.

Jacob’s Island bridge from the University area

Even on a blustery twenty degree March day some Dog owners are walking their dogs.

The very heavily used water access at the Missoula Bark Park

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Jacob’s Island