Bicycling up Big Mountain’s Summit Trail can, at times, feel awkward. Without snow, the mountain seems naked, its contours changed. The ski patrol huts and chairlifts are weirdly higher, offering a different perspective from what you may have grown accustomed to during the winter.
But the Summit Trail itself, the bottom section of which was reworked last year by the Whitefish Mountain Resort crew, is pure pleasure: 7.8 miles of gradual-to-moderate climbing that takes you through forest, across alpine meadows and steep slopes that offer sweeping views of the valley below. In late summer, there are ample huckleberry patches tempting you to pull over and take a break.
Nearly 8 miles is still a fair bit of climbing, so you shouldn’t try it unless you’re reasonably fit. Be sure to bring along water, snacks and basic tools for flat tires or other minor breakdowns. Downhillers should yield to climbers, but not everybody knows the rules, so just yield if you’ve got a good spot and try not to startle anyone.
On a recent Saturday, many riders had taken the lift up to descend the Summit Trail, and some were clearly beginners. The trail holds few surprises so you can ride the brakes all the way down if necessary, but when you open it up, the trail flows beautifully.
The black diamond trails, however, are no joke and should not be attempted unless you’re an experienced cyclist with ample technical skills and lots of travel on your bike. Grab a trail map at the base and heed it.
How to get there: Park at the Whitefish Mountain Resort village and head for the obvious confluence of trailheads. You’ll see signs for the Summit Trail. Start pedaling!