New world gulch trail

Need a trail that’s close to town? Or one that takes you away to a quiet forest thick with trees? Make the trip to New World Gulch. This trail is nestled in the dense forested canyon of Bear Canyon’s beautiful foothills. It rolls and winds along small streams that feed the larger Bear Creek.

Snowshoers can delight in this easy-to-follow path with a modest difficulty level. The early trail is comfortably wide and open, and it occasionally provides glimpses of Corkscrew Peak ahead. The trail comes to a fork: A left here winds briefly along the creek before climbing up the hillside to more narrow paths. After a tight squeeze through the canyon, take in the openness at the wide meadow. Straight ahead, numerous ski runs can be seen on the slopes of Upper Mount Ellis. Those interested in skiing or boarding this area are advised to check the most recent avalanche advisory by the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

Turning back at the meadow makes this an easy out-and-back. To make the trek longer, continue to the fork in the meadow. A right takes you to a saddle between Corkscrew Peak and Mount Ellis, completing the New World Gulch Loop. A left through the meadow directs you t

New World Gulch Trail



Length: 
4 miles (round-trip to the meadow), 11 miles (round-trip to Mystic Lake) 

Duration:
3 to 7 hours 

Difficulty
: Easy to moderate

Elevation Gain:
varies 

Activities: 
Hiking, trail running, skiing, fishing

Crowds
: Moderate traffic


About

New World Gulch is just southeast of Bozeman, branching off Bear Canyon along the east slope of Mount Ellis. The stream-fed gulch is due north of Mystic Lake. The trail climbs up the drainage, first to a meadow below Mt. Ellis, and then up and over a divide, and finally down to Mystic Lake, which is about five and a half miles from the trailhead. You can turn around at the lake and come back down New World Gulch, or, if you've arranged a shuttle, head out via the Bozeman Creek / Sourdough Trail. Watch for elk, deer, and moose, and carry bear spray. 


Seasonal Conditions

This trail is notoriously muddy in the spring and early summer, and in the fall after rain or wet snow. Hikers and runners mostly use this trail from June through October. Local tip: it's a moist drainage, so slather on the bug repellent. During the winter, backcountry skiers take to the trail for a quick workout; skis make the snowpac

New World Gulch Trail #50



Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown


Description

Take this trail up the fork (about .75mi), then take a right onto Moonshine Gulch Trail #438.
New World is awful for the next two miles or so, and Moonshine Gulch Trail will take you around that, and meet back up with it, right at the base of Mt Ellis.

Take a moment to reflect on how you just avoided the worst trail ever made.
Pat yourself on the back, maybe think 'That guy on MTB Project really saved my butt there. I should buy him a beer'. Yeah, you probably should. Thanks!

At some point, continue biking. The trail can get a bit wet, but overall it's 1000% times better than New World Gulch on its best day. You'll have some fire road, some amazing singletrack and some really fun hills all the way out to the lake.

On the way back, you might be tired, but put in a little more vertical and take the Moonshine Gulch Trail back as well. You won't regret it.

Watch for hunters and bears.

Contacts

Shared By:
Colin Tuttle




Mystic Lake is a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers, anglers, and hunters in the Bozeman, Montana area. Mystic Lake can be reached from a couple of different trailheads but the access in Bear Canyon is the shortest. Located about 5 miles east of Bozeman, the Bear Canyon area offers hiking, mountain biking, and cross country ski opportunities.

Finding the Trailhead

The trail to Mystic Lake begins at the main trailhead parking area which is alongside the Bear Canyon Road. Take Interstate 90 to Exit 309 and head south. Look for the small sign for Bear Canyon on your left about 1/4 mile from the Interstate. Turn left (east) on this road and travel about 3 1/2 miles to the parking area.



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There is little hiking information at the trailhead and no outhouses or water so come prepared. The parking area is large with room for many vehicles. This is a well-used horse trail so at times yo