Event Information

Montana 4x4 Association Presents the Twelfth Annual Divide Ride 2010 :: Boulder, MT :: July 12 - 18, 2010

M4X4A is celebrating thirty-six 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.

Boulder, Montana
Boulder is in the heart of Jefferson County on I-15 just south of Helena,Montana's capital city. The three day trail jamboree will take place in the beautiful Deerlodge and Helena National Forests. Camp headquarters are in Boulder at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

Jefferson County was established in 1865 as one of the original nine counties in the Montana Territory. Of the 56 counties in Montana, Jefferson County ranks 19th in population with approximately 12,000 residents and is 43rd in total area with 1657 square miles

The present county courthouse was dedicated in 1889 and is listed on the National Historic Register. When the county was first organized, most of the income depended upon mining operations. One of the largest and best known mining towns in the area was elkhorn, which is eighteen miles from Boulder, and is one of the trail ride choices. Two of the buildings are under the care of the State of Montana as part of the state park system.

Boulder resides in Gold West Country, one of Montana's six tourism regions. The area offers wildlife viewing, outdoor recreation, and many historical mining locations. The Boulder River runs south of town and flows into the Jefferson River, which was explored and named by Lewis and Clark. The Jefferson River is one of the three rivers that form the Missouri River at Three Forks, Montana.

Five mines in the Boulder area have been converted to radon health mines. Thousands of people visit these mines each year to breathe the air and drink the water for relief from arthritis, emphysema, bursitis, cataracts, and many other ailments. Naturally, the owners of the health mines do not guarantee any cures, but many visitors claim their health is greatly improved after visiting the mines.

Also within driving distance is Montana's capital city - Helena.Around the turn of the century, Helena had more millionaires per capita than any town in the United States. Today,Montana's state capital is one of the state's most diverse towns with lots of cultural events, interesting architecture and excellent historic sites. Last Chance Gulch - one of the most significant gold strikes in Montana. The area around Helena is also blessed with plenty of wildlife and recreation opportunities on Holter, Hauser and Canyon Ferry Lakes, which were all created by dams on theMissouri River. The spectacular canyon of the Missouri River north of Helena was dubbed the "Gates of the Mountains" by Meriwether Lewis - the illusion the steep limestone cliffs seem to open before you as you travel the river.

South of Boulder on I-15, is the mining city of Butte, often called the"richest hill on earth." For over 120 years, Butte built its fortune on copper mining. Gold and silver were also mined in Butte and was a booming metropolis in the early days. Some sites to see while in Butte are the Berkley Pit, Copper King Mansion and the World Museum of Mining. The Our Ladies of the Rockies statue stands 90 feet tall at 8,510 feet and looks down on Butte from the Continental Divide.

Tourism information:
Travel Montana - visitmt.com

Accommodations:
Boulder Hot Springs - 406 225-4339
Earth Angel Health Mine - 406 225-3516
Landmark RV - 406 225-3309
MerryWidow HealthMine - 406 225-3220
O-Z Motel - 406 225-3364
Ranch Bed & Breakfast - 406 287-5835
Sunshine Health Mine - 406 225-3670

RV Dump
City Park, Main Street, - 406 225-3381

Road Report/Conditions
Dial 511 or visit www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/

Divide Ride 2010 Registration
Nancy Hines, PO Box 1521,
Polson, MT 59860

Divide Ride 2010 Contact
Vernon Ball - 406 671-6203

Registration is limited to 150 vehicles
Deadline: May 31, 2010 (No refunds after May 31, 2010)

Camping
We will be camping at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Boulder, Montana. There is no additional cost to camp (it is included in your registration fee), but there are not hookups. There will be portable toilets on site

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