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Mill Creek (Mill Creek Trail Grand Targhee Mill Creek Shuttle Andy’s Action Jackson Buffalo Soldier Peaked Colter’s Escape )

Mountain Biking Trail

Hard
10.42 mi
924 ft
A ripping descent off the backside of Grand Targhee resort.

The Mill Creek Trail has become famous as one of the fastest and funnest enduro descents in the Wydaho region.

While most often done as a shuttle ride, there’s still a significant amount of climbing required to actually reach the top of Mill Creek. Most riders begin at the base of Grand Targhee ski resort and pedal up to the top of the resort via a combination of various singletrack trails. A popular route is mapped here: Andy’s -> Action Jackson -> Buffalo Soldier -> Peaked -> Colter’s Escape -> Mill Creek. Once on Colter’s Escape, the descending begins in earnest, flowing straight into the Mill Creek trail.

Don’t count out the climbing as boring riding, however! The singletrack at Grand Targhee is of superb quality and once on the Buffalo Soldier trail, expansive views of the Tetons greet you, providing the perfect place to stop for a photo, a snack, or maybe even a beer.

Once onto Colter’s Escape, the main descent begins, flowing down smooth singletrack through alpine meadows and whispering aspen trees.

Once into Mill Creek proper, the trail tread gets progressively rougher with roots, rocks, and the optional kicker or two. Mill Creek is an old school legacy trail, and the age shows with a deeper trail tread groove.

Still, this classic trail is a classic for a reason, as it sheds elevation quickly while screaming down a narrow one-track through a deep forested valley. Lower down, the trail gets curvier and curvier, with natural berms allowing riders to flow at top speed. Just be aware of oncoming traffic!

The descent is over all too quickly at the dirt road, with either an easy spin back to town or a shuttle vehicle to pick you up. The only thing left to do is to ride back up to the resort and begin again! Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes

Route and Elevation

Segments

NameDistanceElev. Diff.Avg. Grade
Action Jackson - Base to J73.59 mi299 ft1.5%
Real AJ3.05 mi528 ft2.6%
New AJ's Climb3.37 mi299 ft1.6%
Lightning Loop2.07 mi213 ft0.4%
Lightning Loop1.92 mi210 ft0.4%
Buffalo Soldier1.57 mi138 ft0.2%
Buffalo Soldier Northside Ascent0.54 mi135 ft4.6%
Lightning Ridge Sprint0.25 mi-33 ft-0.3%
Colter's Escape Descent1.28 mi-407 ft-6.0%
Mill Creek Descent3.29 mi-1,152 ft-6.6%
Yurt to Viewpoint Mill Creek Descent1.29 mi-272 ft-3.8%
Uphill on Downhill0.63 mi59 ft0.6%
Viewpoint to Parking Lot Mill Creek Descent1.94 mi-846 ft-8.3%
Last Mile1.08 mi-528 ft-9.2%