Mountain Man Country

Pinedale Winter Snowmobile Drags

Date: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003
Time: Races start at 9:30 a.m. (Drivers Meeting 9:00 am)
Location: Race held behind Rocky Mountain Home Center on the west end of Pinedale, Wyoming.
More Information: http://www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers

This competitive speed event attracts upwards of 130 snowmobile racers from all over Wyoming as well as Utah and Idaho. Independently run, the rules tend to be more flexible than in races sanctioned by the Wyoming State Snowmobile Association (WSSA). Family teams, company teams and individuals face off in Stock, Modified and Junior Classes (ages 10 - 16) for the fastest time on the approximately 550-foot course. Full-face helmets and tether kill-switches are mandatory.

The Snow Drags mean different things to different racers. Some are interested in beating particular contestants; there are families who take pride and pleasure in their teamwork, and women who enjoy excelling in a traditionally male sport. The common denominator is excitement.

Entry fees range from $10-$55. Trophies are given to junior class winners. Adults who place receive money awards in an 80% payback system that is dependent on the number of entrants in the class. There are some added purses. Concessions are available at the track.

For complete rules, entry fees, pre registration and race information, visit the Snow Explorers website or call Brad Winters, Race Director, at or Gary Neely at .

Pinedale Snowmobile Grass Drags

Date: Held in September
More Information: http://www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers

Who says snowmobiles are just for snow? The Pinedale Snow Explorers don't wait for winter - they host grass drags on a field at the west end of Pinedale, behind Rocky Mountain Home Center. Concessions available, added purse, 80% payback, and lots of flying dirt. Full face helmet and working tether required. For more information on classes and rules, call Brad at or Troy at , or visit www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers.

Pinedale One Lunger 100 Snowmobile Race

Date: Held in December/January
Location: Sagebrush Downs in Cora, Wyoming
More Information: http://www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers

The One Lunger 100 was designed to give those vintage sleds in your garage something to do in their retirement. Never mind that some may not come back alive - the One Lunger is built on such ironies. For instance, organizer Troy Bredthauer describes the event as "just for fun," but the first place winner actually gets a giant trophy and 80% payback. It's a race, but the top speed is about 25 mph. The object is to be the first sled to complete 100 laps (approximately 65 miles), but merely being the last sled left running will do.

Qualifying snowmobiles are one-cylinder machines built in 1973 or earlier. To register, racers show up on race day and pay a $35 fee per snowmobile. Two drivers are permitted for each sled. Pit stops are numerous and necessary, with teams continuing to tinker until no spare parts remain or the race is over.

The One Lunger 100 usually draws about 15 entrants and the action lasts until mid afternoon. Bredthauer notes that the old Yamahas are the toughest "one-lungers" to beat, because they go faster and handle better. "Yamaha was the leader in the 1970s," he says. "Ski-doos don't usually compete that well. We had an Arctic Cat win a couple of years ago, though."

Since one-lunger sleds are getting harder to find in Sublette County (especially after several years of these races), the Snow Explorers are considering lowering the minimum age. For complete information on the Pinedale Snow Explorers One Lunger 100 Snowmobile Race, call Troy at , or visit the Snow Explorers' website at http://www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers.

Daniel Volunteer Fire Company Poker Run

Date: Sunday, Presidents' Day Weekend
Time & Location: Start buying hands 8 a.m. at Stanley's Junction

This family-friendly poker run is a Daniel tradition for locals as well as visitors, offers the easiest poker run you may ever enjoy, and ends with a delicious free feast at the Daniel Schoolhouse.

$5 and $10 hands are available from 8 - 10 a.m. at Stanley's Junction (Highway 191 and the Horse Creek Road). Here, you can pick up a map and join the snowmobile trek to Blind Bull Cabin in the beautiful Wyoming Range, a snowmobiler's heaven. The route is on main trails and there is no hard riding. The last card will be drawn at 4 p.m. at the Green River Bar in Daniel, after which everyone is invited next door to the Daniel Schoolhouse for a meal of barbecued pork roast.

Alternatives are the hallmark of this poker run. There are no mandatory stops, so participants, whether riding or not, can pick up a complete hand at any point. Some people opt for a short snowmobile trip and arrive at the Green River Bar in time for the first available cards at 2 p.m. Others like to buy one or more hands at Stanley's Junction, spend the day elsewhere, and come back for the barbecue.

Proceeds benefit the Daniel Volunteer Fire Company and any local charities the firemen deem appropriate. There is a 50% payback in prize money, but you will find the payback in fun and community spirit to be well over 100%. For more information, call .

Pinedale Snow Explorers Poker Run

Date: Held in January
Time & Location: Sunday January 19, Start 10am at Elk Ridge Lodge
More Information: http://www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers

There's no better excuse for a friendly snowmobile trip in the Upper Green than this annual poker run. What's a poker run? It's a mobile card game: participants purchase as many hands as they want at the beginning, and follow a snowmobile route to five different stations, picking up a card for each hand at each stop. The route covers from 30 to 50 miles. At the end of the ride, the best hand wins, and there's a big party.

With no registration fee, reasonable $5 and $10 hands, and burgers, beverages and fixin's for everyone at the cowcamp on the river, having a good time is mandatory! The more entrants, the bigger the $5 and $10 pots, so bring your friends. First, second and third place winners split the two pots.

To get to Elk Ridge Lodge, take the Cora Highway (352), which intersects with US 191 about 5 miles west of Pinedale. Proceed about 25 miles, until the paved highway turns to gravel and there is a parking lot and turnaround area. Park here and ride snowmobiles to the lodge - just follow the signs. For more information, visit the Pinedale Snow Explorers website or call Debbee at 367-4561.

Pinedale 100 Snowmobile Race

Date: Held in February or March
Location: On Fremont Lake east of Pinedale
More Information: http://www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers

The Pinedale Snowexplorers Snowmobile Club holds a number of events during the winter months. Some events areto the public, others are for members only. Each year more and more people come from around the region to attend the snowmobile grass drag races, poker runs, and the One Lunger Snowmobile Race. One of the most popular events each winter is the Pinedale 100 Snowmobile Race held on the frozen surface of 11-mile long Fremont Lake, a few miles northeast of Pinedale. The event includes divisions for Juniors, Ladies, Veterans, a "Dash for Cash" and the main Pinedale 100 event. Local snowmobile businesses help coordinate the event with the Pinedale Snow Explorers Snowmobile Club. The event grows each year and participating 3-person teams come from all around western Wyoming and Idaho. Race speeds reach up to over 116 miles an hour on the straight-away across the lake, and slow in the campground segment. Teams are made up of three drivers and three sleds with tethers and full face helmets being mandatory during the race.