Event Information

Montana 4x4 Association Presents the Eleventh Annual Divide Ride 2009 :: 'Philipsburg Or Bust' :: July 13 - 19, 2009

M4X4A is celebrating thirty-five years of four wheel drive activities. Our association formed in 1974 to bring clubs and interested four wheelers together to present a single directive in managing public lands. It is only through the cooperation of all forest users that we will be able to enjoy our sport for years to come. Through our example as concerned four wheelers, we can impress local businesses, the Forest and BLM with our methods and procedures of care and safety. Thank you for your attendance. The membership of M4X4A will try to assure your Montana experience is a pleasant one.

Welcome to Philpsburg
Located on Montana Route 1 - the Pintlar Scenic Highway - 74 miles southeast of Missoula and 60 miles west of Butte. Centered in the heart of Flint Creek Valley, the town of 960 offers the visitor dramatic views of wildlife, history, scenery, outdoor recreation including lake & stream fishing, downhill & cross country skiing, snowmobiling, camping, hiking and this year, organized four wheeling. Museums, 1800's architecture, historic mines, tours, sapphire prospecting or ghost town exploration are all accessible within minutes of town.

It was designated a town in 1867. In August of 1867, the town was 30 days old and growing by a house a day. By December, the population was about 1500 with 250 houses. The Gold Rush of 1869 ended and Philipsburg nearly died - population in August 1869 was 36. Reorganization of mining companies and the completion of the N.P. Railroad brought Philipsburg back to life and in April 1893 it was named the county seat for the newly formed Granite County. Philipsburg was known as the mercantile center of the region and many of the buildings still standing on Broadway and on the hill were constructed at that time.

Although Philipsburg began as a gold and silver mining town, the diversity and adaptability of the people allowed the town to survive. When the gold and silver ran our, the mine turned to manganese needed by the steel mills during WW1 and then for the manufacture of dry cell batteries. Today only one mine still operates in the area. Now the economy of Philipsburg, as well as the communities surrounding it, can no longer depend strictly on mining, although there are still mines in production in Gold West Country, they have evolved to agriculture, recreation and tourism with Georgetown Lake, the Pintlar Scenic Route and several wilderness areas in the vicinity, as well as a wealth of wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Not to mention the attraction and historic value of the old abandoned mines and ghost towns and the timeless beauty of the Sapphire and Elkhorn Mountain ranges.

Camping
We have negotiated the use of the field behind the Sunshine Station as our base camp. There is no additional cost to camp there (it is included in your registration fee), but there are no hookups. There will be portable toilets on site. See the map below.
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Guidelines
Trail Sign-up: This will be done in advance! Select 5 choices for trails you wish to run, from the list provided, place them in the order of most desired to the last desired. Trails will be assigned upon arriving at registration. By choosing 5 trails we will attempt to assign you to 5 from your list.

Vehicle Proof of Insurance: To help speed up registration we will be requiring a copy of your proof of insurance to be sent in with your registration form. Not doing so will delay your registration as we will return your forms and wait for your paper work to be completed.

Vehicle Tech: To help speed up registration, please provide a brief description of your vehicle and its abilities if you sign up for trails rated 4 or higher. Making sure you have the required equipment such as proper tire size, lockers - front and rear, roll cage, and winch and other important information. Not doing so will get you assigned to easier trails!

Rules

The M4x4A has worked hard with the host town to make the best impression and therefore will not allow anyone to run the trails either on their own or unauthorized that you have not been assigned to run! Doing so shall have you immediately removed from this event as well as not being considered for future M4x4A events. This is for your safety, as well as the safety of other participants. Some areas where we will be traveling are on private land where we have obtained special permission for agreed upon times and numbers of vehicles, so please respect the M4x4A's stand in these situations.

Campfires,motorcycles, ATVs, Quads, etc. are not allowed at camp. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Proof of current vaccinations must be provided. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the trails, and should be consumed only in moderation at camp.

Montana requires vehicles to be licensed and insured to operate on roads. We recommend trail rigs have a full roll bar, full roll cage or a factory hard top; functional parking brake or line lock; a tow strap or rope (recommended 2 times your vehicle's weight; a family first aid kit; a jack capable of lifting your vehicle; a spare tire within 3" of the tires you run on your vehicle; a fire extinguisher mounted within reach of the driver; seat belts or harnesses for the driver and each passenger (In Montana, it's the Law); battery held down (not with bungee cords); and if you have an antenna exceeding 4'6" in length, that you tie it down so it doesn't whip the other participants.