I am in total agreement with the comments made by Jake R. 2 months ago about the horrendous results of the patch work done on the trail south of Lolo. As of September 2023 I was only able to tolerate biking from Mormon Creek Road in Lolo south to Trader Brothers rest area due to the VERY poor crack filling job done on that section of the trail and ended up just turning around back to Lolo not knowing how far the “damage” would continue. The repair was so poorly done that it causes a constant, rough and jarring ride that is impossible to avoid. As far as me and my wife are concerned this section of trail is currently unusable.

There was very recently a very unacceptable patching job done on the trail that not only looks horrible but is borderline dangerous. First noticed it the weekend of September 30th, 2023.


While I am not sure the full extent of the damage it definitely spans pretty much the whole distance between Lolo and Stevensville. I am not sure if this was supposed to be a temporary fix but it honestly was better when there were just cracks in the trail. Absolutely a hack job and extremely disappointing.

Water fountain , post 2039. Please replace it or remove it. It’s an eyesore and a teaser that you might actually get some water…….

What will it take to get the transverse trail cracks fixed in the Bass Crk Hill to Lolo section patched? These cracks are so wide that they make pedaling a real pain in the you know what.

This is a general observation south of the Ravalli county line between Florence and Victor. There are significant cracks in the trail and heaves making it somewhat painful to ride the trail, especially on a recumbent trike. Also there has apparently been no sweeping taking place as there are several sections north of Larry Creek that have run off build up of sand to the point that you could loose control if not careful.

I see cleaning crew on trail in Missoula Co. The trail in Ravalli Co. rarely gets clean. Is there a reason for this?

Water fountain near South Ave and Dearborn Ave doesn’t work.

really rough gravel on sections between Florence and Stevensville. I noticed this on Saturday and Sunday May 11 and 12.

Not a maintenance issue but a trail status report. Did my first ride to Stevi & back to Lolo this year today. The trail south of the Florence light cleared up a lot since last week, but there’s still dirt & wet spots thru the south-end that immediately borders the Hwy.


There is a surprisingly large snow patch on the trail a stones throw just south of the Larry Creek Road jct, as well as a remnant snow plow pile on the trail but you can get through it if you thread the eye of the needle of a small opening.


There’s another remnant snow plow pile on the trail at the Scarborough Lane jct that is passable, but you can get through it.


Anywhere the trail gets within 20 ft. of Hwy 93 there’s a lot of winter grit thrown on to the trail especially at the Sweeney Creek bridge, just north of the Larry Crk. Road jct, and the section just north of the Stevi light.


If you’re riding on narrow skinny tires be careful to ride gingerly in this stuff.

More riders are starting up on the trail this week.


The trail from the Hwy 93/Hwy 12 light has a lot of winter gravel/grit on it and while plowed a lot of water seeping across it. From the last subdivision street going south the trail is pretty much dry with some remnant water from some snow plowed off 93 just before the “Ss” at the old 93 Park n Ride lot. When would the trail be brushed to clean off the gravel/grit?


From the Florence light going south the trail/sidewalk is pretty messy. I haven’t been south of that point yet.

The trail north of Stevi to Lolo has many bumby large transverse cracks. Any suggestions for getting these filled and smoothed?

The last 2 weeks there has been a persistence large puddle a few yards just north of the Bass Creek Road/trail junction. There is water coming down the Bass Creek Road then it flows down on to the trail at the jct. Then goes on to the trail and collects in a sizeable puddle on the south side of the north Bass Creek bridge.


Either someone up the Bass Creek Road has left their kitchen faucet on (:)), or an irrigation ditch up the road is overflowing (likely the latter).


I’ve been riding the trail regularly, and drove by that area yesterday and that situation continues to persist. I’ll be riding through there this morning.

I rode from Lolo to Hamilton & back yesterday. The trail looks good except for the following.

1. - From the Kootenai Creek road to the Stevi Hwy 93 light there’s still a lot of winter grit/gravel on the trail where the trail of within 20 ft. of the Hwy.

2. - All the trail bridge crossings from the Stevi Hwy 93 light to Hamilton have gravel/grit on them except for the Blodgett and Bear Creek crossings. The trail is clear but for some reason the bridges (including the Bitterroot River at Hamilton) have grit on them.

I rode through the problem area at Sweeney Creek today and down to Stevi from Lolo. First time this year.


There are a few remnant patches of snow in the JW Temple area on the path but they should be gone soon. But one must keep an eye out for a few snow/ice piles at road/trail jcts that are very slow in melting.


Again the trail is heavily impacted by road grit & stones when the trail is within ~15 ft. of 93 and at road/trail intersections. The trail is pretty good when it stays outside the 15 ft distance from 93. The section from the Larry Crk road (past that little bump just past Larry Creek) and what I call the Bass Crk Hill is heavily impacted by road grit/stones up to the top of the grade but clear down the south side where the cattle underpass is. There’s also grit/stones on the trail again when it gets close to the hwy all the way to Stevi.


Expect punctures with anything less than cyclo-cross/street mtn bike tires with bullet-proof construction and HD tubes. I also have tire/tube liners on my winter bike to deal with all the grit/stone stuff. Also watch out for a fine selection of discarded beer cans/bottles, broken glass, car/truck tire remnants and assorted car parts on the trail.


The trail needs a pickup with a rotating brush on the front to sweep it clear and it should be pretty good.


My .02.

In the forested area of the Jehovahs Witness temple just south of Sweeney Creek (south of Florence but before the Larry Creek road) there are numerous aspen tree roots that are undermining the trail and pushing up the pavement creating a very rough section. This as been the case for the last 4 years.


In the past years the trail has poor water drainage just south of there in the large open area before the Bass Creek crossings. Water drainage from the field comes over the trail in several areas.


Also, as of last week the trail is blocked by snow & debris from winter plowing on Hwy 93 from the Sweeney Creek bridge on south. From the point through the forested section the trail is shaded and it looks like the sun has not helped melt snow from the trail . It looks like there’s been no plowing of that section of the trail as taken place this winter.


Lastly, the section of the trail on the sidewalk section of it from the Florence traffic light south to the Jukebox business is extremely dirty with grit and sand from the adjacent Hwy 93. South of the “Jukebox” the trail is fine since it’s set-back from the Hwy.

Trash and gravel on the trail at the bridge across the Bitter Root River north of Hamilton, as well as along the river north of Blodgett Creek. In general, the whole trail badly needs sweeping, especially where it is near the highway.

Snow removal was non-existent on the trail this winter from Hamilton to Stevensville and farther north as well.

This is a test:

Between mm 5 & 6. Tree limb down on trail blocking half of the trail.