QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: Part of the 7,212 acres in the Moosehorn Refuge's Edmunds Division
- Trail Mileage: 1.2 miles (both trails together)
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Sights: views to the east from Bells Mountain, to the west from Crane
These trails form two short loops (each is just about .6 miles) within the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. It was rather tricky finding the trailhead for the 213-foot Bell’s Mountain. While the parking lot was easy to find, off Bell Mountain Road, the trailhead was so overgrown it was impossible at first to detect. Look to the left of the overgrown drive behind a gate (the driveway goes to a little cabin). Behind the hedges and bushes will be a trail sign. An orange tag might be visible from the road. The Bell’s Mountain trail is a little steeper than the Crane Mountain loop. The gravel access road to both is pretty good, quite passable. While there are views, they are not stop-dead-in-your-tracks caliber. You can find more information here.
Directions: From Route 1, turn onto Bell Mountain Road, roughly 2.5 miles after the intersection of Route 1 and Route 189. Go about 1,200 feet to the Bell’s Mountain trailhead on left. The trail is to the left of the parking lot, if you’re facing away from the access road. To reach Crane Mountain trailhead, continue on the gravel road for .7 miles. Bear right at fork in the road and follow to the end of a short road for trailhead parking.
