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Rivers Edge North Shore Trail
3 reviews
4.33 of 5
I can't believe this trail hasn't been added and reviewed. It's probably the best trail around Great Falls. There is actually 3 different routes to take. As soon as you go through the gate turn left for a singletrack climb up to a double track that eventually leads you back to the river. Hang a left and continue on to Morony Dam, or a right and make a short loop. Best route though, after going through the gate at the trailhead, is to continue on the gravel to the dynamite shack, and take the black diamond trail out and back. It starts off with a short flowy section followed by a techy rock section. After that you come to the junction of the upper "blue" section which would take you back to the trailhead(I've never ridden) or continue on. A couple of downs and ups brings you to the double track mentioned earlier. You'll follow the double track up the hill for a short ways until the singletrack breaks off the the right again and starts to head down the hill. After that just keep following the trail to the Morony Dam trail head and then turn back. Watch out for snakesin the summer!
Summary: As others have said there are some really nice sections. Some Tech, rocky, with some hefty consequences,(one ride someone had to fish their bike out of the river.....Lucky it was just the bike) some smooth sweeping turns, nice views. As a side note, this trail is growing. The plan is to eventually have single track on this side of the river all the way from rainbow dam. Earlier this month the bike club put in about a mile section, and made a good start towards that goal.
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Summary: I am reviewing North Shore Trail as part of Rivers Edge Trail System. there is some confusion of north shore vs. south shore.
take 87 N. over the bridge and follow the signs.
First there is the starting point. you can go to the TH at Rainbow Dam and ride 5 miles on gravel to the S-T trail head at Ryan Dam. Or you can drive out to Ryan Dam/Maroney Dam TH . the S-T starts here. you can start at either Ryan Dam or Maorney Dam. The trail runs between the 2 dams. the S-T trail is about 4 miles OW. At Ryan Dam TH there is a 1.6 mile spur OW that heads toward Rainbow Dam and the gravel road section. thus you could make a 5.6 mi O/W ride or 11.2 mi loop.
Excellent signage at TH's and along trail.
The S-T follows the river, in some places your on a rim 50'-100' above river. there is a parallel section that goes inland and rejoins main trail.
lots of challenging S-T , and enuf vertical grade changes to get an excellent workout. plenty of vistas: the river, 3 dams, the town , the belt mountains, rolling prarire , waterfowl and wildlife. i suspect rattlers in summer!
some sections I rate a 5. if you spill you could roll or fall 50-100' into the river. if your still clipped on its: "hello davy jones"
good workout, good challenge, great scenery.
one of my favorites!
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Summary: The hills are tough and there'a couple of sections where you look down into the river from a singletrack 40 feet above the water - great trail, just minutes from Great Falls.
We started at Morony Dam TH, rode up to Ryan Dam, then took another route back down to Morony. Beautiful ride!
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4.33 of 5
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