montana mountaineer utv

montana.matt · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 07:14 AM

Some friends came up here a couple weeks ago and we went and rode the Blacktail/Wild Bill National OHV Trail here in Lakeside, MT. The trail system itself isn't very long, maybe about 15 miles at the most, but the rocky and rough condition of the trail keeps your speed quite low (5-10 mph, but slower most of the time). It has several obstacles along the trail including tank traps, logs, etc. It also has bypasses for each obstacle in the event you don't want to try it.

The Wild Bill is really designed for full size 4X4's such as Jeeps, but it's also quite fun for ATV's and probably UTV's. I got hung up on one log obstacle, because I still have my snowplow mount on my ATV, so my buddy pulled me out with his Arctic Cat.

Well, onto the pics. Hope you enjoy them!

We made a rest stop at the top of Blacktail Mtn (6660'). This is looking east toward the Mission Mtn. range and Glacier National Park

This is where I got hung up on that damn log

And of course my buddy had to get a pic to rub it in LOL

Of course we packed a couple coolers, a BBQ a roll up table and chairs and had a picnic lunch out in the sticks. We had my .44 magnum handy since we were in the middle of Black and Grizzly bear country and there were plenty of huckleberries and good burgers and hot dogs around

This was shortly after my buddy (on the silver Arctic Cat) rolled his machine on its side. We were debating making a near vertical climb with all the stuff we were packing on the back of our ATV's. We decided to do it and no problems.

phil · #2 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 08:37 AM

Looks like a pretty good time. Thanks for the pics.

Thor · #3 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 09:49 AM

Great pics! Always fun to see how people ride in the different areas. I cant wait for this weekend. Going up north to WI for a 250+ mile run. Should be nice with all the leaves turning.

montana.matt · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

Great pics! Always fun to see how people ride in the different areas. I cant wait for this weekend. Going up north to WI for a 250+ mile run. Should be nice with all the leaves turning.

Sounds like a fun ride you have planned!
I'm thinking my wife and I are gonna go on a ride around here this weekend and explore some old silver mines I know about. There are about 5 or 6 in this area and we found one the last time we went, but it's on private property, so we couldn't get close enough to take pics of the old buildings, etc. That ride was 115 miles, so this one may be a little more.
My buddy and I are planning a 900 mile ride we hope to do next summer around Montana and Idaho (We hope to find a few sponsors for that ride LOL)

OldBones · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 01:43 PM

Looks like you had a good time. Were those rocks in the hills very hard on the tires? Looked like some sharp rocks.

Thanks for the pics.

slyder01 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 01:50 PM

I see in Montana you can still get arctic cats,,,LOL.. Looked like a good time!

montana.matt · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBones

Looks like you had a good time. Were those rocks in the hills very hard on the tires? Looked like some sharp rocks.

Thanks for the pics.

There were a lot sharp rocks, shale, etc. I was expecting a flat or 2 in the group, but it never happened. I'm starting to think my Bighorns are bullet proof LOL.

montana.matt · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slyder01

I see in Montana you can still get arctic cats,,,LOL.. Looked like a good time!

Yep, Arctic Cats are still plentiful here. My friends wife just got a 2011 2up and it's actually pretty nice (for an AC LOL).
I've got this decal on the back of my PoPo

But it didn't work out this time around when he pulled me off the log. I've gotten myself off that log in the past on my own, but he was too fast with the tow strap and camera this time

Of course he thinks I'm an

because I have the decal, but it's all in good fun!

slyder01 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 01:58 PM

I know the XTR's are NOT! I will never buy them again.. The sidewalls are weak and blow out.. I even sent an email to ITP, got no response

montana.matt · #10 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slyder01

I know the XTR's are NOT! I will never buy them again.. The sidewalls are weak and blow out.. I even sent an email to ITP, got no response

I don't have any experience with ITP tires. I replaced my stock tires in 2008 with a set of Swamp Fox tires and they lasted about 4 months. I went out one day and 3 of them were flat! I had less than 100 miles on them!! I put Slime in the tires and they wouldn't hold pressure. So, I went to the tire dealer where I bought them and turns out they were rotted out from ozone. I guess it was a manufacturing defect. Anyway, the dealer gave me credit for the tires, I got the Bighorns and just paid the difference.... I've been waiting for these to wear out so I can try out some of the Pit Bull Rockers, but these damn tires aren't wearing out LOL.