Montana Tacomas

I am not sure which lake you were looking at as we visit many. There is a good chance though that you were looking at Bohn, Elliot or Caruthers...or all three in the same album. They are all on the same trail just out of Deerlodge. It is up Dempsey Creek.

We were also recently at both Cow Bone and Dark Horse Lakes. Those are over on the Idaho border out of Jackson Montana. Comment on the pic and I will see it.

Next weekend we intend to be in the Judith Basin to do the Middle Fork Trail. We cross the Judith River 26 or 28 times each way. It is a BEAUTIFUL area but it looks like the weather will be interesting.

BTW: Our club meeting is 7pm tomorrow (9/2/15) here in Helena.

Caruthers Lake trail (also to Bohn and Elliot) is in Willie's book. The other lakes I mention will be in the next one. We took Willie up there for his next book last year with a Dillon 4x4 club we belong to. You may also want to check on Fisher Lake in his book as well. It is not that far from Deerlodge. Yes Willie is in Missoula...he and his wife do a good trail guidebook.

 

Heading to Montana, between Cameron and Quake Lake this weekend to fish the Madison for a few days. Any good drives in the Mountains anyone wants to share?

 

There is a pretty wild trail about 70 miles north of Quake Lake out of Norris. It is on the North Meadow Creek Road. The trail is known as McKelvey which is also the name of one of the lakes up there. I suggest taking another rig along. This is a rough trail.

If just looking for a great ride here is one of Lisa's: https://www.myscenicdrives.com/drives/idaho/mesa-falls-scenic-byway

 

Sounds cool, but I won't have another rig with me. I have a winch and armor, but I'll play it safe.

 

What day are you thinking of heading up?

 

Do you have any more info on how to get to these lakes? I am thinking about trying to get to them this weekend. Nothing too wild though, I will have my wife and daughter with me.

 

You indicated you have Willie's book (4x4 Routes of Western Montana) or will be getting it...Willie called this trail the "Dempsey Basin Route" (page 94). That is the same trail I call Caruthers Lake. Don't bother fishing Bohn Lake...not much for fish there. The creek is good and Elliot and Caruthers both have plenty of fish.

If you don't have the book yet: From Deerlodge: go out of town to the south. Turn right onto the frontage road (runs parallel to the interstate) at the south end of town. Turn right onto WEST SAGER LANE. Turn right onto DEMPSEY LAKE ROAD. Follow this road until you hit PERKINS ROAD (you will see a house, large barn and ranch buildings on your right (this is prison ranch #2). Bear to the right onto PERKINS and just after the barn will be a road up the hill to your right---this is the road to the trailhead. Just stick to what is clearly the main road through until your get to the parking area at the trailhead. From there....just stick to the main road and you will find Bohn and then Caruthers Lake. Explaining getting to Elliot or the Mountain Ben Lakes is more difficult and for another time. Good luck fishing....it is a fun road but not hard.
I hope this helps.

 

McKelvey (also known as North Meadow) is not one of those sneaky roads which lull you into thinking you can take a car there...it gets darn rough right at the trailheard...and then gets rougher...and rougher. That road is for much more hardcore wheelers. It would not have been good for you to go there. However, if you ever do, invite me along. hehehe

I only do that trail once a year...that is enough. Rock Rails, Skid Plates and a willingness to scrape all the paint off the underside of your rig are helpful on this one. However...the fishing up at Cliff Lake (above McKelvey) is second to none later in the fall.

 

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. I talked to my wife about it yesterday and rain or shine we'll be going up there to check it out. We will make sure to get some good pictures. I haven't gotten the trail book yet. I will be putting my order in next week.

I really like the map you have there, what software is that? I have been using View Ranger GPS on my phone. It's ok. Has some decent features. I like that I can have it track my route and plot it on the map and I can put labels on pins I put on it, I just don't like the map. It uses bing maps. I found a company in Missoula that I can get paper maps from, but I want something on my device. I've been developing an application myself for this purpose and I'm still working on where to get the electronic maps from. When I had a boat I could buy SD cards for the depth finder I had that had maps with various features. Something like that would be very useful.


I put in a request for an account on your site yesterday. I was going through the 2015 album and wanted to comment on some of them, but I haven't gotten anything back about it yet.

I found a youtube video that someone named pastorjohn posted about the middle fork trail. It looks like a really cool run. I would really like to make it to that sometime. With all of the river crossings, I can see that it would be best to wait until the spring runoff. Are there places to camp along that trail?

Thanks for all of the info, I really do appreciate it. I'm looking forward to being able to make it to some runs with you guys. Maybe I would be allowed to join your club so I can help represent the T4R's.

 

The map I posted is from DeLorme Topo. If you are looking for a good Montana basemap for your GPS, look at the landowner maps they have at most all the sporting good stores. Good stuff...Might work for your purposes.

What user name did you set up on the M4x4A webpage? Let me know and I will get it setup with at least some level of access.
I throw some pics on there from time to time but we use the Frontier 4 wheelers page on Facebook page more than anything else.

I was supposed to go to middle fork this weekend but those plans have been changed. A combination of weather and some guys with mechanical issues. A couple friends and I may run up to Caruthers ourselves Saturday but have not finalized anything.

 

I found you and activated the account.

 

SEE VIDEO RESPONSE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg2u_De8j5o

 

hehehehe

 

hahaha

 

A good day...