Old-school Taylor Fork backcountry loop south of Big Sky (Little Wapiti–Pika Point Loop, ~15.8 mi, rated Difficult on MTB Project). Pika Point tops out ~9,500 ft on the north end of Wapiti Ridge with big views of the Taylor-Hilgards.
Route
- Start at the Upper Wapiti trailhead in the Taylor Fork drainage.
- Climb via Little Wapiti Trail #74 or the Oil Well ATV trail (reworked in 2021 — smooth, fastest way up).
- Descend Minnie Wapiti Trail #203 from Pika Point: rough, rocky, lots of loose rock, torn up by dirt bikes in places — not a flow trail. Return on Lower Wapiti Trail #35.
Logistics
- Drive: Hwy 191 south past Big Sky to Taylor Fork Rd (FS 134), then Wapiti Creek Rd (FS 2522). Roughly 1¼ hr from Bozeman.
- Wapiti Creek Rd doesn't fully open to vehicles until July 1 — effectively a July–early-Oct ride.
- Serious grizzly country (riders have been charged here) — bear spray, ride in a group, make noise.
- Elevation gain is approximate (~2,500 ft) — trailhead ~7,000 ft, high point ~9,300–9,500 ft; verify against a GPS track.