Location: Near West Glacier
Type:Mountain Bike Ride
Rating: Moderate
Mileage: 21.5 mile loop
Mileage: 15 miles

This ride takes place in and above the “North Fork,” as the valley of the north fork of the Flathead River is known. A highlight is the hiking side trip to the Hornet Peak Lookout, perched at an elevation of 6,744 feet.

Hornet Peak Lookout, built in 1922, is reportedly the only “D-1 Standard” model still standing. To find the mile-long trail to the lookout, look on the left (south) side of the road as you reach the ride’s high point at 8.5 miles. You’ll have gained more than 2,200 feet getting to that high point, mostly over good gravel roads. The ensuing downhill, over which you’ll surrender every one of those hard-earned vertical feet, is a scream; one of the most perfectly pitched descents you’ll find anywhere.