ATV riders meet in Trout Creek for annual Fun Run

Trout Creek’s Cabinet Ridge Riders' 2023 ATV Fun Run set an all-time attendance record this past Saturday.

ATV riders from all over the northwest and a few from as far away as Pennsylvania filled the backroads of Trout Creek and Noxon.

Cabinet Ridge Rider Treasurer Shellie Anderson said they have been sponsoring the event for over 27 years. Planning for this year’s Fun Run started back in February. Seventy volunteers staffed check stations, nailed up route signs and cleared roads for the 92-mile Fun Run.

There is no entry fee to participate in the Fun Run, however, everyone can purchase a poker hand card for $5 per hand with no limit on the number of cards. Monies received by the Ridge Riders go for prizes to the top-25 poker card hands.

As a nonprofit organization, the Ridge Riders donate all excess funding back into the community. So far this year, they have donated over $15,000 to various projects, with each school district in Sanders County receiving $1,000.

The Fun Run started out early Saturday morning with late registrations at the Trout Creek Lakeside Motel and Resort, where route questions were answered, and riders could purchase raffle tickets for the several rifles on display. At 9 a.m., all 449 trail riders mounted their side by sides, motorcycles, four wheelers and four by fours for the ninety-two-mile backcountry ride.

Leaving Trout Creek, each trail rider followed Forest Service roads crossing near 87 Mile Peak to the first check point, where riders filled out their first poker card hand. The route took each rider through dense forest, climbing steep switchbacks to mountain tops with spectacular views and on to their next check point at the newly rebuilt warming hut near the top of Gem Peak.

The hut was burned down by a suspected arsonist in 2022. Thanks to local volunteers, building material suppliers, and area businesses, it was rebuilt in record time.

Leaving the warming hut, riders worked their way along Forest Service roads to the town of Noxon. where lunch was provided for purchase by the Noxon PTO. From Noxon, riders continued back passed Tuscor Hill toward Trout Creek. Breakdowns were few, with several tires being sacrificed on the sharp rocks along the trail.

Dave Anderson, President of the Cabinet Ridge Riders said, they bring many events to the area during winter and summer months.

“We do a whole lot of good for the community,” he said.

Many of the riders are return visitors, with many attending each year since its inception. First-year attendees, Rob and Kaitlyn, new owners of the Trout Creek Motel and RV Park, rode the trail with their two boys, Bryson, 7, and Colton, 5. Each of them looked like they drove through every mud puddle along the trail.

Don Peterson from Coliville, Washington said, “We will do the run every year.”

The Fun Run’s end was back at the Trout Creek Lakeside Lodge, where each rider had their poker hands tallied up.

Cabinet Riders President Anderson said, “This has been the best year ever.”

The top-25 poker hand winners were announced at the evening festivities that included an auction, dinner, raffles and a bonfire with music. The top poker hand was won by Missoula resident Wendell Baer who came away with $400.

Raffle winners were Bob Matthews from Trout Creek who won the Black powder muzzleloader and Trout Creek resident Leon Helstad, winner of the 30-06 rifle. The cooler was won by Keith Jacobson. Total prize money paid out was $4,300.