Trail Ride Chair

Thea Faas-Gervais 

406-642-6546

mtgervais@hotmail.com

Fall Gather National Trail Ride
Elkhorn Hot Springs, Montana
August 16th and 17th, 2008

Directions:

Elkhorn Hot Springs is about 42 miles from Dillon, MT.  From I-15 take Exit 59, Jackson/Wisdom Hwy 278.  The turn off for Elkhorn Hot Springs is right after mile marker 25.  There are signs before the turn which is to the right.  At the first fork in the road stay to the right, at the next fork go to the left this will take you up to the hot springs.  If you are coming from the Missoula area you can go thru the Big Hole if you want.  Take the Reserve Street exit; take Hwy 93 towards Lolo/Hamilton; at the top of Lost Trail Pass turn left onto Hwy 43 to Wisdom, at Wisdom turn right on Hwy 278 towards Jackson; go past mile marker 26 look for a big brown sign on the right, turn left to Elkhorn.

Cabins:

There are cabins available to rent at $21.40 per person with a minimum of $45.00 which includes swimming and breakfast.  The cabins have electricity but do not have any appliances.  There is a wood burning stove in each for heat.  They do not have running water, so you will need to bring some or you can get it at the lodge.  There are outhouses close to the cabins.

Camper Parking:

There is camper parking around the cabins and down in a large lot just below the cabins.  The cost for parking is $7.49 per person and includes swimming.  If you want breakfast it is $6.00.  There is no electricity or water.  Outhouses are up by the cabins plus there are rest rooms at the lodge and pool.   There are showers at the pool.

Food:

Everyone is responsible for their own meals.  There is a restaurant at the lodge or you may prepare your own meals at your camp site, or you can share a potluck each evening around the campfire (if permitted).  This is a great way to get to know each other and share interesting tales.

We will have a potluck steak dinner for the Saturday night meal.  You can buy these at cost from the club.  Please let us know how many you want so we can order them.  Bring your talents for camp fire entertainment.  We will have entertainment on Saturday night. 

Horses:

There is water in a creek that runs thru the camp area.  You can tie the horses to your trailer or in some spots you can set up a highline.

Hay:

You will need certified weed free hay as Elkhorn is in the National Forest.  There will be weed free hay available for $8.00 per 95 lb bale.

Rides:

You may bring any kind of horse or mule you want.  We will have two types of rides each day, one short ride and a long ride.  The short rides will be around the Elkhorn Hot Springs area.  The long rides will be to high mountain lakes.  You will need to bring water, a lunch and warm jacket as the weather changes rapidly up there.  The horses will need to be trailered to the trail heads (about 12 miles).  We will have trailers available to take horses to the trail head if you do not want to take your trailer.

Hot Springs:

There are two outdoor pools and an indoor wet-sauna.  The pool is open until 9:30pm Monday thru Thursday; 10pm Friday and Saturday and 9pm on Sunday.

Nothing feels better after a days ride than to soak in the pools so be sure to bring your swimming suit.

Clothing:

Be sure to bring warm clothes with you as night time temps are in the low 40’s with day time temps in the 70’s to 80’s.  It is usually dry that time of year but the last time it did rain so you may want to bring a rain coat.  Be sure to bring a swimming suit.

Points of Interest:

The Elkhorn area is surrounded by 2,147,000 acres of National Forest which contains hundreds of miles of marked trails and roads.  The area is filled with historic mining ruins, including Coolidge Ghost Town/Elkhorn Mine (a silver mine once in operation during the early 1920’s).  Crystal Park is just 4 miles from Elkhorn Hot Springs where you can find quartz, smoky quartz and amethyst crystals.  They vary in size but can be as large as your fist.

Don’t forget to bring your camera’s and if you want to fish you will need a license which can be purchased in Dillon at Cenex/Rocky Mountain Supply right off I-15, exit 63 Dillon/Twin Bridges.

You do not need to register for the ride and there is no charge, but we need to know how many horses will be coming and how many camping spaces will be needed.  We need to know if you want a cabin as soon as possible so we can let any go in time for them to be rented out.  Also if you want credit for the ride your horse must be a registered MFT and you will need your horse’s registration number.

If you have any questions please call or email me.

Gail Hansen (406-683-2597)

Email    misty_hansen2003@yahoo.com

878 Laknar Lane

Dillon, MT  59725

Sorry - This Ride has been CANCELLED

Better luck next year

Bob Marshall Wilderness

Due to heavy spring rain and snow, the road to the trailhead is closed, quite possibly through August, while new culverts are installed. This work has affected the water supply and toilet facilities at the West Fork Teton Trail head.  The Rocky Mountain Ranger District office has closed the campgrounds for the season, and no horse or people camping will be permitted.

For those of you who want to ride in the BMW, I suggested you contact the Rocky Mountain Ranger district at 406-466-5341 for alternate suggestions.

Last years planned ride was cancelled due to fire,
This year's ride due to water,
Lets hope that the Third Time is The Charm!

For More information

Mary Greene

406.431.6830

mfngreene@gmail.com

As many of you know I am the trail ride chairperson again this year for BSFTA.  There’s a bit of work that goes into the planning and scouting but this is actually enjoyable for me.  What I could use is some help with ideas… This is where you come in.   Montana and Idaho are huge states and there’s no way I can know all the trails.  So, do you know of a large trailhead/campground where we can ride a couple of days?

For this year we have two National Trail rides in the works and are looking into possibly a third.  Gary and Tanya Becker of Greybull, WY, are leading our co-sponsored BHBFTA and BSFTA Fall Gather National Trail ride, August 17-19, 2007.  This ride will be in the Sunlight Basin again.  I hear this is one you don’t want to miss.

Our second ride, still in the planning stage, is most likely going to be from Indian Meadows campground, about 5 miles NE of Lincoln, MT, off of Hwy 200.  I haven’t ridden these trails but am told they are good trails with one 20 mile and one 12 mile loop.  There are also numerous trails that come off the Hart Lake trail that take you up into the Continental Divide.  If anyone out there has ridden these trails before, please contact me.  I would love some company on a scouting trip or two. 

            Be safe and have fun riding. 

Thea

Gary and Tanya Becker       307-765-2020   gtbecker@tctwest.net

Thea Faas-Gervais              406-642-6546  mtgervais@hotmail.com