Connecting Silver to Basin trail is an amazing ride and worth the climb - even when you have to push your bike a little on Basin going uphill or over a few rocks to get to the second lake - it's worth the views and the downhill! Bring a full suspension bike for this trail, you'll want it. <br />
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Silver departs heading uphill. Be sure NOT to take the jeep road after the first little climb, it veers left, head straight through the trail head! Continue on the trail, following the Loop 4 signage. This is 2.5 miles of moderate uphill and some technical sections. You'll see a sign that points you to Basin Lakes at about this point. Turn left on the trail. This is the out and back. Climb 4 miles to the lakes. The first lake is about 3 miles, second lake is 4 miles - more technical but worth the view. The downhill back is epic and will make you forget the grueling uphill. Upon your return to the bottom of the Basin trail, turn right to connect back to Silver. At the Basin/Silver intersection, turn left, and you'll continue on fun downhill singletrack (a little more mellow than the Basin downhill) back to the trailhead. Silver is a loop if you don't want to do Basin Lakes, and will be about 5 miles. Basin is what makes this ride my favorite back door trail ride.
Heading south out of Red Lodge (towards the Beartooth Pass), go to the end of town. Turn right onto Ski Run Road or West Fork Road (GPS may call it either one) and keep on the road approximately 2 miles towards Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort. Right before the road turns to gravel, you will see West Fork Road on your left, turn left. You might even see some rock climbers hanging out at the intersection - give them a shout! Stay on West Fork for 1.5 miles and watch for the Silver sign. Turn left and park in the parking lot. Start here, you'll see the trail head for Silver.
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