One of our favorite spring/fall rides is the Old Yellowstone Trail. We think the best section is through Yankee Jim Canyon. It offers easy riding for the whole family in a unique environment with signage that explains the interesting history behind this route.
Find the start of the route by crossing the Yellowstone River on the Tom Miner Bridge and following the Old Yellowstone Trail (which is a road at this point,) upstream about 2.5 miles to a barricade where you’ll park. Begin your ride heading up-canyon on the old rail grade. You’ll want to spend some time exploring around the Yankee Jim interpretive area, which is about a mile up the grade from where you started. Then, continuing along after about another 1/4 mile, watch for a trail/grade on the right heading upslope and take this. It’s the original road grade constructed in the late 1800s and has several interpretive signs along this portion. You may need to push your bike a bit, but don’t be discouraged; it’s not that far, and the views from above are great. When descending back down to the rail grade, still headed up-canyon, pay attention to the stone work that supported the original road and imagine what it was like creating these walls without the help of machines.
At this point, you’ll be on the vehicle portion of the Old Yellowstone Trail, about 2.5 miles from your car. Continuing on, there’s a good hill in about another mile, at the top of which you’ll find Cutler Lake, then Corwin Springs (maybe a soak at Yellowstone Hot Springs) in another three miles, and if you’re feeling up for it, Gardiner in another eight miles. Don’t forget, the return back to your car is about 15 miles from Gardiner.
Regardless of how far you go, on your return, watch for another trail/road grade on your left after you are coming out of the Yankee Jim Interpretive area. It’s another offshoot not to be missed with great views and returns you almost right back to your car. Complete any portion of this route, and you’ll come to appreciate why it’s one of our favorites.
Please reach out to us with any questions or suggestions for other rides.
