May 7th, 2022
A nice trip with Continental Four wheel Drive Association of Butte. We went to Ringing Rocks and then did the Hay Canyon Trail with 12 vehciles. It was a nice trip. Daryl, Joe, and I went along with several other Frontier 4x4 Club membeers. Somehow, I got roped into to leading the trail.
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Every once in a while we need to do a little wheeling somewhere other than home and see some new ground. Here are some photos from Joe's recent trip to Arche Canyon near Blanding Utah.
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I had a good time leading a trail ride for the Frontier 4x4 Club (Helena) on the Beaverslide Trail. It was a cozy group of 5 rigs and 8 people. This trail links to the Hay Canyon Trail so we started on that, from the Whitetail Road side of that trail We stopped for a nice lunch along the Whitetail Creek before heading on to Whitehall. I always enjoy this trail.
(Photos by Richard Hiltz)
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The Whitetail Reservoir Trail is, in my opinion, an all too often overlooked or forgotten 4x4 trail. That is a shame as people are missing a great trail.
This trail has a little bit of everything. There are some small water crossings, some 4Low rock-crawling, a bit of weaving through tight trees, some mud, and yes, some really nice scenery, as well.
What I call the Whitetail Reservoir Trail is also known as Forest Service Road (FSR) 8695 or the Halfway Creek Road. The trail is 9.7 miles from the trailhead on Delmo Lake Road to the Dam at Whitetail Reservoir. It is a class 3, one-way in/out type trail (no loop).
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Dark Horse and Cow Bone Lakes
A few photos from the trip to Dark Horse and Cow Bone Lakes. I camped in the area and the others drove in the next day for the trail. Our friend John led trail rides into this area every year for a while but some of us had not made it for a bit. I was excited to get back there. It is always a beautiful ride.
The smoke got in the way this time but even the views from the highway are amazing and they just get better as you start toward Skinner Meadows. Both the Dark Horse and Cow Bone Lakes are just beautiful.
Of course, early in the year, when everything is green is, of course, just crazy, but the way the area turns gold in the fall is something I find interesting and very scenic, as well.
(Photos by Richard Hiltz)
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Caruthers Lake Trail Ride
(w/Frontier 4x4) 07/24/2021
This was a Frontier 4x4 Club Trail ride I led into Caruthers Lake on Saturday. 23 rigs, from all over Montana would join in. I think it truly was a great time for everyone.
I got to meet and wheel with a lot of new people and had a very nice time. Having so many experienced wheelers made it a very easy trip to lead.
Thank you to all who participated for a nice day.
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Boulder Lakes
Daryl, Joe, and Richard traveled to the Boulder Lakes (the ones in Madison County).
It has been a very long time since Richard was last here. Daryl, Joe, and Barb made their first trip to the lakes.
What a beautiful trip. We got to watch a Bald Eagle for a while and one of us saw a beautiful cinnamon-colored Black Bear sow with a tiny cub following along.
We went from Twin Bridges is at 4628 ft to right at 9,000 feet elevation above the upper lake.
A great day on a beautiful trail, with good friends.
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Fathers Day on Rock Creek Trail
Father's Day weekend on the Rock Creek (Leadville) Trail with the Frontier 4x4 Club. I was the tail-gunner, for this trip, so most of the trail photos just the rig in front of me.  That would be Steve, of Kalispell's Big Sky Four Wheelers, in the silver JKU with the storage up top. Very nice of him and his other half to join us for this trail ride. We would need to clear a few low-bridges to slip him through.
I wish I was feeling better and could have stayed the second night of the campout. I felt bad leaving our guests behind.
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| 10 rigs would make the trip |
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Radersberg Pass Trail
This is the view from the trail between Lupien Spring and Deadman Spring on Trail 157, facing south,. This trail is named Tramway Road but, confusingly, there are several roads named the same thing same general area.
It was a beautiful day to be in the mountains. I went up Dry Creek (off of Elkhorn Road, south of Boulder) to the turn for Mud Springs. Then over to Radersberg Pass. I then headed toward Lupien Springs. I would, of course, end up on Tramway Road. I could not help myself at this point and, though not originally planned, I had to go to the Sky Line Mine since I was so close. I was the first full size through the snowdrifts between the overlook and the cabin.
Thankfully, a group of ATVers would come along as they did some excellent trail clearing so we could all get through. Very nice folks. I enjoyed meeting them. Well, I knew one of them. She is an old friend from a past life. It was nice to see her. It was a much longer day than I originally planned but I enjoyed the peace and solitude of the start of the trip and also enjoyed making new friends towards the end of the day. Very cool...
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North & South Quartz Creek Roads
We went to Park Lake, then down North Quartz Creek Road, and then up South Quartz Creek Road until deep, of-angle snow drifts stopped us. Then a little playing in some drifts on the cut-off to Chessman Reservoir on the way back down. I believe a good time was had by all.
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THE BEAVERSLIDE
I took a trip over what I know as the Beaverslide Trail but some call Sheep Camp. This is a nice trail that runs from just outside Whitehall and then meets up with the Hay Canyon Trail. On the Whitehall side, it runs up Sheep Camp Road (hence, some calling the trail that. lol), then crossing the Little Whitetail Creek. The most notable feature on the trail is a steep rocky section, which can be a bear with snow on the ground, seconded by some winding through the trees in a few thin sections. It just makes a nice alternative entrance/exit to the Hay Canyon Trail.
I wanted to do it from the Whitehall side this time. Sometimes trail look very different from one direction to the other. I almost always go in from the Hay Canyon side but I wanted to be better able to visualize the trail from both directions.
I would encounter some very rude SxS drivers who had little use for sharing the trail or common courtesy. They were not "kids" either. Most were older than I am. Jerks. lol ~ Meh...it happens. I also came across a group of 406Cruisers club members on Hay Canyon Trail. I picked them up while scanning CB channels and had a chance to say hello.
I posted a more detailed description for this short but interesting trail.
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TIZER LOOP
This was a July 2020 Frontier 4x4 Club trail ride to the Tizer Basin and the Tizer Loop. 11 Rigs made the trip along with several dogs and a bunch of kids. A fire was built and a great lunch was cooked trailside.
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ELKHORN GHOST TOWN
(IN THE SNOW)
This is a December Frontier 4x4 Club trail ride to Elkhorn Ghost town and above. Most of the cabins in these photos, are from Diego Town, which is just north of Elkhorn. Of course, Joe got the State Park in Elkhorn in a photo too.
For those who ask if Frontier cancels due to weather...nope. Not often. Only if the roads getting to and from the trail are unsafe to travel. Otherwise, we have been out there in rain, snow, sub 20 below temps, and even an occasional really nice day. lol
The weather was kind enough to take a break to allow for a nice lunch.
Photos by Joe Skaggs.
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