Little Prickly Pear near Canyon Creek.

I ride snowboards in the winter and motorcycles in the summer, so for me April is the worst month to live in Montana. It's the time when one riding season comes to an end as ski resorts close, and the other isn't quite ready to roll as the weather is too cold and blustery to enjoy being in the saddle of a motorbike. This year winter seemed to linger a little more, but now in mid May, spring is finally here.

I've spent these passed two weeks riding my favorite springtime roads around Canyon Creek, taking photos for and chatting with folks about the business I will open in July called Moto-Montana Outfitters. We will offer BMW motorcycles for rent and outfit them with the gear they need to enjoy Big Sky Country.

Canyon Creek is a small ranching community northwest of Helena along State Highway 279. The center piece is the Canyon Creek Store which dates back to the 1890's and is also the longest continuously running Post Office in Montana. The store offers gasoline, groceries and even a campground for travelers along what locals call "the Lincoln Road" and makes a great start or stop point; from here one can ride in any direction on literally hundreds of miles of dirt roads. Don't be shy, stop in and say "hi" to Myrna and Ron, some of the nicest folks around.

South Fork Prickly Pear

Heading west from Canyon Creek is Little Prickly Pear Road(LPPR); best ridden in mid May to early June and makes a great first ride of the season. From LPPR, you can ride north or south and venture into the National Forest. This leisurely road skirts ranches, emerald pastures and bursting creeks filled with run off from the snow capped Continental Divide seen in the distance. Small portions of the road can be soft, so use caution when riding heavily laden adventure bikes with the more street oriented dual-purpose tires.

Long Gulch Rd

Long Gulch Road is the first road that offshoots from LPPR, This north-south running gem climbs steadily through land management areas and homesteads until it reaches the living ghost town of Marysville. Once a booming mining town with thousands of inhabitants, now only a few residents and a restaurant remain; the Marysville House serves juicy rib-steaks and cold drinks and is a Montana original. Put it on your must see list...

Gravely Range Road heads north into the Gravely Range and runs into Canyon Creek-Gould Road which (going east) can take you back through open range to Hwy 279 north of Canyon Creek, or (going west) will wander through groves of Aspen trees to Stemple Pass Road.

Stemple Pass

Marsh Creek Road forks from Gravely Range Road about 1.5 miles from LPPR and climbs significantly to straddle the Continental Divide on its way to Stemple Pass. Along the road are several campsites and a look out tower atop Granite Butte where views of the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wildernesses are plenty. This road is popular for cross country skiers in the winter and is open for wheeled travel later in the season as snow drifts can loiter until June. Stemple Pass Road leads westerly into the town of Lincoln where fuel, lodging and spirits await the weary adventure traveler.

There are several other roads to explore like Lost Horse Creek Road but I'll save that one until a later post when the snow melts enough to reach the top of Mount Belmont. Until then, keep it up right and enjoy the  ride.