Author Topic: Dillon-Twin Bridges Alternative  (Read 47749 times)

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Offline BikeliciousBabe

Dillon-Twin Bridges Alternative
« on: July 05, 2025, 01:32:07 pm »
Sorry if this is on the maps already, but I recently rode an alternative to the hairy section of MT 41 between Dillon and Twin Bridges that is mostly gravel (tame gravel) and really nice.

RWGPS won't let me map what I actually rode, but this is some of it:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51572063

Note that, when heading east, there are two street signs fro East Bench Rd. The first one is right after you cross a little creek and the shoulder disappears.  The route posted above uses the second East Bench Rd., which is another 5 miles of shoulderless riding with semis east.

I turned off the the first East Bench Rd.  For some reason, RWGPS won't let me map the way I went, but you can see the roads on Goggle Maps.

R onto East Bench
L@T onto Trout Creek
R@T to stay on Trout Creek
Becomes Christiansen
L@T onto Walsh
R onto E. Bench
Follow remainder of above map to Twin Bridges

IIRC, all of the roads had signs except where Trout Creek Becomes Christiansen.  I think I saw one or two moving vehicles on the extra mileage I did, and the farms and ranches back there are stunning.  IMO, it's worht the extra effort.  It sure beats the beavy traffic on MT 41.  You will miss a close view of Beaverhead Rock, but you can actually see it when you get back onto E. Bench after Walsh.

Offline deandominic


Offline BikeliciousBabe

Re: Dillon-Twin Bridges Alternative
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2025, 12:18:02 pm »
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51780261

Thanks.  I later was able to map it using the draw lines and walking options.

Here is the full route I did:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51627184
« Last Edit: July 19, 2025, 12:21:00 pm by BikeliciousBabe »


Offline BikeliciousBabe

Re: Dillon-Twin Bridges Alternative
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2025, 11:02:22 am »
Everything between MM 206.6 and 215.3 is private road.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/27fa0779ae6c4ff2aebbd7a0f271d6e9/page/Home

Did you have permission? It has become a serious issue in Montana & Wyoming.
BLM Land Ownership Map -
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9a89ee80c604431e8f8d939a186fbdbb#widget_6=active_datasource_id:dataSource_2,center:-12517114.357439958%2C5675136.004247422%2C102100,scale:72223.819286,rotation:0,viewpoint:%7B%22rotation%22%3A0%2C%22scale%22%3A72223.819286%2C%22targetGeometry%22%3A%7B%22spatialReference%22%3A%7B%22wkid%22%3A102100%7D%2C%22x%22%3A-12517114.357439958%2C%22y%22%3A5675136.004247422%7D%7D

I believe that is is extremely important to avoid trespassing when riding dirt roads.

No signs to that effect whatsoever, and nobody said anything.  (First link did not work for me.)

"45-6-201. Definition of enter or remain unlawfully. (1) A person enters or remains unlawfully in or upon any vehicle, occupied structure, or premises when the person is not licensed, invited, or otherwise privileged to do so. Privilege to enter or remain upon land is extended either by the explicit permission of the landowner or other authorized person or by the failure of the landowner or other authorized person to post notice denying entry onto private land. The privilege may be revoked at any time by personal communication of notice by the landowner or other authorized person to the entering person.

(2) To provide for effective posting of private land through which the public has no right-of-way, the notice provided for in subsection (1) must satisfy the following requirements:

(a) notice must be placed on a post, structure, or natural object by marking it with written notice or with not less than 50 square inches of fluorescent orange paint, except that when metal fenceposts are used, the entire post must be painted; and

(b) the notice described in subsection (2)(a) must be placed at each outer gate and normal point of access to the property, including both sides of a water body crossing the property wherever the water body intersects an outer boundary line.

(3) To provide for effective posting of private land through which or along which the public has an unfenced right-of-way by means of a public road, a landowner shall:

(a) place a conspicuous sign no closer than 30 feet of the centerline of the roadway where it enters the private land, stating words substantially similar to "PRIVATE PROPERTY, NO TRESPASSING OFF ROAD NEXT ___ MILES"; or

(b) place notice, as described in subsection (2)(a), no closer than 30 feet of the centerline of the roadway at regular intervals of not less than one-fourth mile along the roadway where it borders unfenced private land, except that orange markings may not be placed on posts where the public roadway enters the private land.

(4) If property has been posted in substantial compliance with subsection (2) or (3), it is considered closed to public access unless explicit permission to enter is given by the landowner or the landowner's authorized agent.

(5) The department of fish, wildlife, and parks shall attempt to educate and inform all persons holding hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses or permits by including on any publication concerning the licenses or permits, in condensed form, the provisions of this section concerning entry on private land. The department shall use public media, as well as its own publications, in attempting to educate and inform other recreational users of the provisions of this section. In the interests of providing the public with clear information regarding the public nature of certain unfenced rural rights-of-way, the department may develop and distribute posting signs that satisfy the requirements of subsection (3).

(6) For purposes of this section, "land" means land as defined in 70-15-102.

(7) Civil liability may not be imposed upon the owner or occupier of premises by reason of any privilege created by this section." (Emphasis added.)

Offline jamawani

Re: Dillon-Twin Bridges Alternative
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2025, 05:11:20 pm »
That might be a little much to say when you are looking at the barrel-end of a shotgun.

Offline BikeliciousBabe

Re: Dillon-Twin Bridges Alternative
« Reply #6 on: July 25, 2025, 07:20:51 am »
That might be a little much to say when you are looking at the barrel-end of a shotgun.
I knew you would say that.  The fact remains that they appeared to be public roads, right down to being signed with normal looking street/signs.  If they are private roads and those with the rights to use them want others out, they need to take the simple steps the law requires of them.  And, BTW, I got waves from the few motorists I did encounter.