| Whitetail Reservoir Trail |
Quick Info:
Nearest Town: Whitehall Yearly Closure?: None -- **Seasonal closures common - Check w/FS
Trail Rating: Class 3 Length: 9.7 Miles
High-Clearance Required?: Yes YesWide/Long Vehicles?: Thin Sections
Type: In & out trail
**Seasonal closures due to spring runoff/wet conditions are common on this trail.
Click for emergency/other FS closures in this area: CLICK HERE
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The Whitetail Reservoir Trail is, in my opinion, an all too often overlooked or forgotten 4x4 trail. That is a shame as you are missing a great trail.
This trail has a little bit of everything. There are some small water crossings, some 4Low rock-crawling, a bit of weaving through tight trees, some mud, and yes, some really nice scenery, as well.
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What I call the Whitetail Reservoir Trail is also known as Forest Service Road (FSR) 8695 or the Halfway Creek Road. The trail is 9.7 miles from the trailhead on Delmo Lake Road to the Dam at Whitetail Reservoir. It is a class 3, one-way in/out type trail (no loop).
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GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD:
The entrance to the trail is 8 miles from the Pipestone Exit 241 off of I90 on the Delmo Lake Road, heading northwesterly. Delmo Lake Road is all dirt from the Exit. Delmo Lake Road can also be accessed via Homestake Pass but that is not the preferred route.
Tow vehicles can be parked and unloaded at the Four Corners Trailhead in the Pipestone OHV. There is a large parking area and FS facilities. There is also a parking area (but no facilities) at the trailhead. However, it is much smaller and often fills up early on the weekends.
Coordinates to the Four Corners Trailhead and parking area: 45.94560, -112.27537 ~ Google Pin: CLICK HERE
Coordinates for the Whitetail Lake Trail / Halfway Creek trailhead are: 45.97640, -112.31586 ~ Google Pin: CLICK HERE
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GETTING TO THE LAKE:
From the trailhead, head north on Halfway Creek Road, aka FSR 8695. There are two forks in the road within the first two miles and a couple more along the way. Take care not to leave FSR 8695 as we follow it all the way to the lake and end of the trail.
Coordinated for the dam on the Whitetail Reservoir are: 46.072736, -112.261865 ~ Google Pin: CLICK HERE
If you use Gaia GPS, here is a link to the "route": CLICK HERE
It is visible even without an account though the functionality is limited.
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There are some steep, rocky hills in several sections of this trail that make it very much a challenge with snow on them. There are also a number of sections that tend to turn VERY muddy in the spring and during heavy rains. The mud-holes can get very deep. Please Treadlightly! While this trail does not have a standing seasonal closure, the mud can become so bad during the spring runoff that the Forest Service occasionally does a temporary closure, for resource protection. Being open "year-round" does not mean most will be able to access it all year. The area gets some deep snow as it rises to around 7500 feet of elevation.
The Whitetail Reservoir Trail is another simple, but fun, route to follow.
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NOTE: We are simply describing a 4x4 route. We accept no responsibility for your decisions. 4x4 off-roading can be great fun but it can also be dangerous. People can get hurt and vehicles can get stuck and/or damaged. Trail conditions can, do, and will, change at any time. Road conditions may no longer be accurately reflected in this or any trail description. Only you can decide what trails or obstacles your experience and vehicle can safely navigate. When in doubt, turn around. Wheel Safe!!
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