A map of some fun "Off-Trail" recreational riding along the Black Canyon Loop in Island Park/West yellowstone.

[christopher]

People are once again reaching out to me asking "Where do we go in IP & West for recreational off trail mountain riding". Not Steep, Not Deep, Not Crazy thick trees. I just want to know where to go to get off the beaten path and have some fun up high. The "Burn Zone" is probably what most visitors that aren't coming here to ride Mt. Jefferson or Sawtell are looking for. This is moderate gently rolling terrain where the forest was THINNED out by the big fire several decades ago. It can get a TON OF TRAFFIC on nice days, and especially right after a MAJOR DUMP. So do NOT be surprised in the least bit if you find it tracked when you arrive. On the other hand, that area is roughly TEN SQUARE MILES of space, and I can ALWAYS FIND an untouched meadow if I take the time to hunt for it!! Just pay CLOSE ATTENTION to the National Park Boundary, it is CRAZY EASY to cross over on accident and very seldom marked!!

 

[volcano buster]

1988 North Fork fire

 

[christopher]

1988 North Fork fire

 

[christopher]

always amazes me at the pushback I get for creating these little graphics.
Its as though some people think this is actually SECRET territory that no one knows about.

 

[Dartos]

Almost no such thing as secret in any area that’s as popular as that area.

It does remind me of a time a friend and I were riding outside a small town in northwest Colorado. We were in the parking lot getting ready to head out when a local showed up and immediately started bitching about how crowded it was with all the trucks in the parking lot (all 4 of them). Claimed all the good spots would be tracked up. I guess it’s all what you are use to.

 

[binge]

Question from a soon to be 2nd time visitor to IP: what is the best way to get to that area? Looking at the trail map it seems like the only options are some looooong trail rides. Is that correct? Last year, the snow wasn't great when we were there in February but we managed to find some fun around the Lionhead area without too much trail riding involved.

 

[christopher]

Question from a soon to be 2nd time visitor to IP: what is the best way to get to that area? Looking at the trail map it seems like the only options are some looooong trail rides. Is that correct? Last year, the snow wasn't great when we were there in February but we managed to find some fun around the Lionhead area without too much trail riding involved.

Sorry, but yet.
The only way up onto that rim of the Caldera is a LONG trail ride.