Ninth annual ATV Poker Run to be held in Trout Creek
<p>Attendees at last year's ATV Poker Run line up their ATVs in preparation of the rally. This year between 200 and 250 participants are expected for the approximately 76 mile long journey.</p>
TROUT CREEK – The Cabinet Ridge Riders will be having their 9th annual ATV Poker Run this Saturday. The rally will start at the Lakeside Motel and will offer participants plenty of opportunity to discover Montana’s wilderness and wildlife.
People from all over the country and of all different ages have attended the previous runs, which provides good old-fashioned fun to anyone who may be interested.
According to the organizer and Cabinet Ridge Rider’s Director of activities, John Harris, the rally for the ATVs has grown in numbers and keeps getting better every year.
The first year there were approximately 80 riders and last year that number grew to 236. Harris hopes to have anywhere between 200 and 250 riders, stating the more participants there are, the better.
“Anywhere from ATVs to UTVs to Jeeps show up for it,” said Harris.
The route of the rally stretches approximately 76 miles and begins at the Lakeside Motel up and over to Blueslide Road, up Vermillion River to the Willow Creek Junction and up to the meadows across Highway 2. The riders then head to the Kicking Horse where they draw a card for the poker run, eat lunch and fuel up, heading back to the Lakeside Motel.
“It brings in extra income to the towns of Trout Creek, Thompson Falls and also up to the Kicking Horse,” said Harris, explaining the economic impacts also affect Noxon at the Aitkens Store and Motel.
Registration for the event begins Friday night at 5 p.m. and goes to 9 p.m. Raffle tickets will also be offered at that time. Saturday morning provides another opportunity to register from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The run will start at 8 a.m. and the riders are let loose in groups to keep the marked route from congesting.
After the long journey, the riders will come back to the Lakeside at the deadline of 5 p.m. A pig roast will be held at 6 p.m. and after dinner is served, the folks will dive into the raffles, announce the winners and see a brief presentation on the day’s events and on the Cabinet Ridge Riders club.
During the presentation, there will be a tally of how many animals the riders saw that day.
Harris said anything from deer, elk, moose, eagles, black bear and even a grizzly bear have been seen on the route.
The raffle will include a 50/50 as well as a gun raffle. Merchandise and door prizes will also be given away. During this time, a lucky winner will also receive the poker hand money that was raised.
New from last year, music will be presented at the Lakeside for everyone’s enjoyment.
This year Harris said he expects a moist road, although the forecast does not call for a full day of rain. However, Harris stated that it is not a bad thing as it helps to keep the dust down.
“It helps stimulate the economy around here early in the summer and it’s the kick off for the summer for us,” said Harris.
The Cabinet Ridge Riders is a non-profit club that raises funds for the community - helping to provide scholarships, aide to the senior center and assistance to needy families among other things.
The Ridge Riders themselves are a diverse group of motorized and non-motorized outdoor users. Some participate on horseback, while others choose 4-wheelers, snowmobiles or other means of motorized travel.
Any funds after the poker hand payouts go to the Cabinet Ridge Riders fund. The event is free to ride and there is a $5 per poker hand charge with no limit.