2011 MT Summer meet

We are anti gun? Im bringing my pistol but no long rifles for me...

 

I was joking....

 

Here's some trail info from the 4x4 guys...


Are you looking for hard technical 4 wheeling or scenic trails?
Here are the trails (and trail descriptions) from the 2010 Divide Ride: I can give you more info on these if you wish.
1) Eureka Mine (Level 3.5) ( I do not recommend this trail for the vehicles you describe but it may be an option for some technical stuff. It is not a particularly long trail. ) This is a turn off the Little Boulder Road I mention below) This trail is a fairly short trail it will begin with a nice drive through a canyon on a non maintained road. You then begin a steep hill climb with loose rocks followed by a narrow trail with large rocks and lots of trees to maneuver around. The trail ends at an old mine were the group will eat lunch and explore the old mine.
2) Lava Mountain (Level 4) ( I think this one would be a great choice- starts above Clancy and ends at High Ore. Or the other way around - may be too much snow. Has a small ghost town along the way) This trail is long and will take better part of the day to complete. The trail has several large hill climbs with loose rocks and tree roots. This trail is narrow and twisty (Full size might get some scratches if you are not careful). The trail is full of large boulders and water holes filled with tree roots. On this trail you will have an opportunity to see some wildlife and some old mining towns.
3) Fin Gulch (Level 2) This trail will be a great scenic trail ride. Trail begins following the Boulder River through a great little canyon. The trail will end up on Blizzard MT 8,000 ft in elevation where it possible to view three Montana cities at the same time. This trail ride will consist of some maintained gravel road and some short non maintained sections that will not be too challenging but will add some excitement.
4) The Tunnel Ride (Level 2) The Boulder Tunnel is 1 mile long abandoned rail road tunnel that is fun to drive through. This ride will start by going through the tunnel. This ride will be fairly easy and relaxing ride. You will get the opportunity to stop and go through some old mining town buildings and spelunk some old mine sites. This trail will drive some maintained gravel roads and some non maintained road.
5) Elkhorn Mine (Level 2) (This is part of the way to the Skyline Mine trail below) This trail will begin by driving to Elkhorn City followed by a rocky trail that will end at Elkhorn mine. This trail will be fairly easy and should not take much time to run. Good opportunity for scenic out looks some wildlife.
6) Skyline Mine (Level 3) (A great choice with a little 4 wheeling and lots of scenery-a personal favorite trail but may be too much snow) This trail will travel through Elkhorn City followed by a rocky windy road with some difficult spots. The trail will end at Skyline Mine. You will have a good opportunity to spelunk some old mining equipment and sites.
7) Rock Creek (Level 3) (Another great choice for some wheeling but may also have too much snow at that time) Water crossings, large rocks and a narrow trail leads to Leadville Mine and on to scenic vistas over the top of the Mountain and on to Blizzard Mountain.
8 ) Spring Creek (Level 4) (area is closed so is not an option) This route splits off of the Halfway trail after that point it climbs steeply to drop down to a boulder strewn river like bed. Very technical rough terrain, you will sleep well after this route.
9) Hay Canyon (Level 3) (A fun trail but full sized vehicles be ware. Should be clear by then) Narrow steep climb up though the trees.
Also in the area is the Tizer trail but I doubt it will be accessible until mid-July. There is the road up to the Shields and Ironsides Mines-that is the Little Boulder Road. It is somewhat scenic and has a few spots which will make your paint job scream in fear but nothing to hard technically. Quartz Creek links into the Lava Mountain trail.
We have had record snow in the mountains around here so it is anybody’s guess as to how much snow you may encounter. It will be close so it is hard to say if you are crazy or not. There are very rustic FS campgrounds off of the Little Boulder road. there is a nice one at the base of Galina Gulch, which is the High Ore exit. There are great camping areas below the Rock Creek trail (commonly known as leadville trail around here). I would think the Park Lake campground (below Lava Mountain trail) will have a large number of local campers but it may be an option for you as well. The Galina Gulch exit seems to be the most centraly located to me but it is right off the highway.

 

Thanks Tom!

And just so that everyone is clear on this...this is a BYOB,F,T event. Thats Bring Your Own Beer, Food and Truck. I will not be making sammiches for everyone! Is that understood?!?!

 

Choices 3-7 have my vote just due to my experience level and current rig setup... I am almost thinking something more social at this one due to the snow and maybe something more technical come late summer? That's just my .02 though

 

Agreed...I think getting around and through the snow will provide enough of a challenge for us this time.

 

The porter is out of stock around here - i have been searching high and low. If you find some get me a case or 2

Come on out!

^this

 

Are you a dark beer lover? If so check out Face Plant from Bayern. That and Moose Drool are my favorites.