Big Sky Wind Drinkers Long Course at Crosscut

Race - Oct 19, 2019

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The course for the 2019 Big Sky Wind Drinkers Long Course at Crosscut.

Crosscut trails are open to the public during designated periods - please check their website, or contact them prior to using their trails.

Watch out for tree roots on the singletrack, especially if there's a slight covering of snow. The trails can get a bit muddy and soft after rain/snow.

From the Crosscut base area (biathlon arena), head up the main ski road (Oneway), then follow the black-arrows-within-orange-diamond markers to access the singletrack (note: this is primarily a mountain-biking trail; be alert for other users!). Follow winding trail uphill to Jane's Gate, then follow fence line on your right until the singletrack branches left into the trees.

Continue up through trees on the side of the big meadow, past the warming hut to the end of the singletrack at the Lookout ski trail. Turn right here, and follow Lookout ski trail to the Lookout point (views to the south). Head northwest on Montagne's Meander to Point of No Return, then Bermuda (reference the Crosscut ski trails map for these named trail intersections).

Turn back south (still on Montagne's), head up the hill for a short ways, then turn left onto the singletrack, which will head east along the north slopes of Downey Butte. On the east side of Downey's summit, you'll intersect the Downey's Butte ski trail; turn right here, and head up the hill until the trail curves left and crosses the high point of Downey's Butte, in a westerly direction.

Continue steeply down the west side of Downey's, which will eventually intersect Montagne's again. Turn right, then an immediate left, to follow a level ski trail (Return from Brackett) until you see the singletrack cross the road; turn left here and head back south, emerging at Times Square.

From here, bear right onto Logger's, cross the creek, and follow the old road uphill for about 0.8 miles or so, until you can see the water tower through the trees on your left. Turn around here and cruise downhill back to Times Square, then turn right and follow Logger's Return to the east, then south, re-crossing the creek before a small rise. Here, be alert for the cut-off back onto singletrack (look for those arrows on orange diamonds). Follow the singletrack all the way back to the base area, running just about 20-30 meters east of Jane's Gate on the way down.

Possible to encounter deer, moose, elk, bears, golden eagles along the trails. Lots of pine forest.