Deep snow doesn't stop Poker Run

The only bad thing that happened at the 17th Annual Cabinet Ridge Riders Poker Run was that they ran out of chili at one of the card stations, said Jim Morkert, one of the coordinators of the event and president of the Cabinet Ridge Riders.

This year's poker run fetched just over $13,000, according to Morkert, about $2,000 more than last year. The Cabinet Ridge Riders, a nonprofit group of snowmobile enthusiasts, gave out $1,800 in poker hands with the top hand won by Trout Creek resident Brenda VonHeeder with a full house — aces over deuces — nabbing her $300.

Two hundred and nine riders bought 494 poker hands, which ran from 8 a.m. to shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday at Trout Creek. Morkert said there were a few stragglers who showed up at the last station around 5:30 p.m. Participants picked up their first and last cards at station one and five, located at the parking lot of the Wayside Bar and Grill along Highway 200 in Trout Creek. The bar owner, Steven Anderson, donated some of the food for the day-long event. Sherry Kurtz, a club member who manned the Wayside Bar and Grill card station, said the riders mostly finished in small groups, with a little bigger crowd at the end.

The snowmobilers traveled 32 miles to the other three stations in the woods near Trout Creek to get their cards. Morkert said that once the contestants received their first card at the Wayside, they trailored their machines to a site at Marten Creek, where they started their snowmobile trek to station two on Forest Service land. There were between six to 10 miles between the three stations, which had warming fires and hot drinks. They also had a first aid kit and a radio at each station. Morkert said the club purchased a warming tent last year, which they set up at station three.

Most of the snowmobilers were from Trout Creek, Noxon, Heron, Thompson Falls, and Plains, but Dave Schoppe, a member in the Cabinet Ridge Riders, said they had riders from Missoula and Kalispell, along with people from Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The participants mostly ranged from 18 to 70 years old. Eighty-five-year-old Delmer Jacobson of Missoula may have been the oldest rider. Although a person had to be at least 18 years old to play, Schoppe said some of the riders had children with them. He said it's a good family event.

Morkert said this year's poker run was again a big success. There were 13 places, which went from $300 to $25. People could buy as many hands as they want for $5 apiece. On average, people bought three or four hands, although Trout Creek resident Randy Fisher bought eight hands.

Second place went to Ben Lee of Missoula. With his fours over jacks full house, Lee took home $275. Roxanna Lye took third place with a heart flush, which got her $250. Officials were unsure of where Lye lived. Trout Creek resident Randy Fisher took fourth with a flush, jacks high, and went home with $225, followed by Terry Hightower of Noxon, who collected a flush, 10's high. In 12th place was Lorie Hartman of Heron with three kings and a queen to receive $25.

Morkert said they had a drizzling rain in town, but on the mountain, a light snow. He said conditions on the trail were very good, even though the club's 12-year-old snow groomer broke down just before they had the entire trail done. "As long as they stayed on the trail, they were OK," said Schoppe. However, Morkert said there were a few riders who ventured off the trail. Two got stuck in the eight to 10 feet deep snow drifts. Morkert believed both managed to eventually get their machines out. "We tried to make the trail as smooth as possible."

Morkert said that other than expenses, all of the money goes back into the community. Each year, the club gives scholarships to Noxon, Thompson Falls, and Plains schools. Each school gets a $500 scholarship. The club has given out more than $50,000 over the last five or six years. They've donated money to about 20 organizations in the county, including the Girl Scouts, school sports, senior citizens centers, the Huckleberry Festival, and the Noxon Community Ambulance, which had volunteers at a spot about eight miles out of Trout Creek where the riders came out of the woods. The ambulance crew said they were no injuries.

The club and Wayside Bar also gave away more than 100 drawing prizes Saturday night. Lorne Riddle, a member of the Cabinet Ridge Riders, this year donated two cruises aboard his 40-foot sailboat in the San Juan Islands in Washington. The club raffled off two rifles, won by Sam Burt of Trout Creek and Denny Miller of Plains. Miller, who also won a shotgun, donated the rifle back to the auction.

"It brings a lot of money into Trout Creek," said Morkert, adding that it's a good fundraiser for the county, too.

The Cabinet Ridge Riders started the poker run the same year it was established in 1991. Morkert said they have 110 members, mostly Sanders County residents, but they also have a few from Idaho.

Morkert said they plan to hold the poker run again next year, but they need to get their groomer repaired.