For Mountain bikers, Monture Creek is one of the best intermediate level trails with a backcountry feel and about an hour's drive from Missoula. With a campground at the trailhead, the Monture Creek trail should be on every Western Montana mountain bike riders bucket list.
The first mile of Monture is on an old logging road - perfect for beginners who desire a short, scenic ride. The next few miles are great, intermediate terrain with great sight lines and tread.  Beware, we did see a full grown black bear on this hike about 30 feet from the trail. Luckily it ran off after observing us for about 10 seconds.   Dogs: Off-leash
If you keep cruising on Monture, please keep your head up for stock use. This area is one of the main portals for horsemen entering the Bob Marshall Wilderness. If you encounter a horse, or a pack string, please step off carefully to the downside of the trail, remove your helmet (you look like an alien to horses!) and talk quietly to the animals as they pass.  Please respect the outfitters and their animals and do your best to keep the trail conflicts to an absolute zero!  There are several loop and out-and-back options that begin from Monture. This trail eventually runs into the Scapegoat Wilderness, making it an out-and-back ride unless you add in Falls Creek, Center Creek, or Spread Creek.

Beginning at Monture Creek Campground, take the main Monture Trail #27, which starts off on an old logging road for 1/2 mile before turning into a satisfying, zippy singletrack.

At 1.3 miles, the junction with Falls Creek is just across the wooden bridge. Falls Creek is an awesome out-and-back to Camp Pass, but be warned, prepare to walk the bike up the hill.

Since this trail does encounter a Wilderness area, please be respectful of the regulations that prevent cyclists from entering the Wilderness. About 10 miles in (close to the Center Creek junction), there is a Wilderness boundary, this is your turn-around point unless you head up Center Creek to access Center Ridge.

Monture, Center Creek, Center Ridge, Falls Creek and Spread Creek are currently threatened by a proposal to expand existing Wilderness Boundaries. If you head into this area, please sign a visitor use card at the trailhead saying you are a mountain biker and what route you'll be riding.  Stop by the cafe and bar in Ovando after your ride for refreshments.

Beginning of the Monture Creek Trail in Powell County western Montana north of Ovando

Hiking along about a half mile into the Monture Creek Trail in Powell County western Montana north of Ovando

Sign indicating distances posted at the trailhead of the Monture Creek Trail in Powell County western Montana north of Ovando

Signs posted at the trailhead of the Monture Creek Trail No. 27 in Powell County western Montana north of Ovando

Trailhead of the Monture Creek Trail in Powell County western Montana north of Ovando

Parking lot at the Monture Creek Trail Trailhead in Powell County western Montana north of Ovando

Beginning a hike on the Monture Creek Trail in Powell County western Montana north of Ovando

Old wood signs posted on a tree near the beginning of the Monture Creek Trail in Powell County western Montana north of Ovando

Harrowing creek crossing (Spread Creek) on the Monture Creek Trail in Powell County western Montana north of Ovando

The Monture fire burned almost 24,000 acres at the head of Monture Creek in 2000, spilling over Hahn Pass

From the trail looking northeast in the direction of Spread Mountain (which can't be seen), the higher elevation above reaches 6500'

In 2000, the Monture fire burned almost 24,000 acres at the head of Monture Creek.  This view is looking northeast from the trail about 1.25 miles into the hike.

Last scree slide before the bridge crossing Falls Creek.  Our destination (unknown to us at the time of this hike) can be seen above the 5000' elevation in the distance on the side of that mountain which offered a beautiful scenic view of the canyon falls and the Ovando Valley.

Monture Creek Trail bridge crossing Falls Creek, which empties into Monture Creek further downstream.

View of Falls Creek heading downstream from the Monture Creek Trail wooden foot bridge.

Sign of a fork in the trail.  The Monture Creek Trail splits just after the Falls Creek bridge.

Old wooden sign after the bridge.  Monture Creek Trail (27) straight ahead and the Falls Creek Trail (16) to the right.

Looking south from the Falls Creek Trail from about the 4800' elevation, a view of the Ovando valley can be seen in the distance.

Obstructed view of the Falls Creek falls cascading down the mountain from above the 5000' elevation. Distances are greater than they appear.

View of the Falls Creek falls cascading down the mountain from about the 5000' elevation.  Distances in the pictures appear closer than reality.

Looking south from an overlook on the Falls Creek Trail adjacent to the falls from about the 5000' elevation, a view of the Ovando valley can be seen in the distance.

Switchback in the Falls Creek Trail around the 4600' elevation.

Scenic rocky overlook on the Falls Creek Trail (16) looking south into the Ovando valley from about 5000' above sea level.  The canyon, falls and view from the overlook are worth the moderately strenuous hike.

Looking into the rocky canyon and across Falls Creek from the Falls Creek Trail (16).  The mountain across the creek continues up an additional 1500' to an elevation of 6500' in the picture to the right.

Looking across Falls Creek from the Falls Creek Trail (16) and up the side of the 6500' mountain to the east.

Indian paintbrush seen on the Falls Creek Canyon Trail (16) on 6/27/17