ATVs overtake Trout Creek for annual ride

For a day, at least, Trout Creek's population tripled. The Cabinet Ridge Riders held their annual poker run this past Saturday in Trout Creek, and if the numbers tell the story, Trout Creek's population of 202 people tripled with over 400 participants in the ride. ATVs were everywhere, especially along Highway 200 through town. Registration began Friday night and continued Saturday morning at the Lakeside Motel & Resort. Riders could not start on the poker run until at least 9 a.m. Saturday.

The poker run's course took riders on about a 92-mile journey through trails in the mountains. The first and last stop to get a card was at Lakeside. In between card stops included the CRR warming hut, the state line, and in Noxon. The Noxon PTO had lunch ready at the Noxon stop. All riders had to have their last card drawn by 5 p.m. at Lakeside. Following the ride was a bucket raffle and live auction.

Riders came from Washington, Idaho, Montana, and even as far away as Pennsylvania. Rob and Kaitlyn Purdy of Trout Creek, along with their two boys, participated in the ride for their first time. "It was fun and a great family event," Rob Purdy said. "The kids enjoyed seeing all of the rigs and we will definitely be involved in next year's ride." Derek Crueger, from Clark Fork, Idaho, participated in his first CRR Poker Run also. He was riding in it along with some of his family. "I am looking forward to meeting other motorcycle riders and learning new trails," Crueger said.

Since 2002, the Cabinet Ridge Riders have donated over $217,000. They give four, $1,000 scholarships to county high school seniors each year among many, many other things. Over this past year, they have also had to rebuild their warming hut after a fire that was set by an arsonist, burning it down. The group, community and people from across the area and beyond put money toward replacing it and rebuilt it in a brief time frame. Folks are already making plans to attend next year's ride. Based on this year's ride, Trout Creek could see its population quadruple on that day.