Roundup at the E Bar L Ranch  

2008 Grizzly Ride

The 42nd gathering of the Grizzly Riders International takes place September 6 through 10, 2008 at the E Bar L Guest Ranch in Greenough, Montana. 

The E Bar L, located thirty miles east of Missoula, is one of the oldest and most enjoyed guest ranches in Montana.  The Ranch offers one of the finest herds of horses in Montana and excellent scenic trails for both experienced and novice riders.  Fly fishing enthusiasts have access to some of the premier trout streams in North America with the Blackfoot River at our doorstep and the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers within a short drive. For those who merely want to hike, tour the countryside or just relax around their cabins, the beauty of the Blackfoot valley and the gracious hospitality of the E Bar L staff will make your stay memorable.

All Riders and their guests are invited to attend a BBQ Friday evening, September 5 at The University of Montana Prescott House. Riders not attending the 2008 Ride are especially encouraged to come to the BBQ with their spouses and guests to renew old acquaintances.

Grizzly Rider Joel Diner fishing the Blackfoot River

DAILY ACTIVITIES

The Ride is designed for you to relax and enjoy yourself.  There are no set schedules during the day.

You begin your morning with breakfast in the main lodge and make your plans for the day.  If you like to fly fish or ride horses you are in for a treat. Our gillies run float boats every day on the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers and the E Bar L  wranglers can accomodate everyone from the most experienced rider to the novice. 

If you don’t ride and don’t fish don’t panic.  Some of our Riders prefer float trips through scenic canyons on the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers or visits to nearby ghost towns and old mining camps.  Trap and skeet shooting is available each afternoon at the E Bar L’s private range.  Feel free to simply sit on the front porch of your cabin and  read a good book or admire the mountains.  We can accommodate almost anything you want to do while you are at the Ranch.  Check with the Trail Boss, Jim Royan, if you have questions or have special requests.

Everyone gathers in the main lodge at 5:30 PM for cocktails and an opportunity to share the day’s adventures with each other.

After dinner, we gather in the main hall of the lodge for a brief program.  Our speakers range from University of Montana Department Deans updating us on academic programs to guest speakers discussing scientific, historical and environmental issues. After this, the evening is yours - enjoy the company of your fellow Riders, start a card game, trade tall fishing tales or simply relax and watch the embers in the five foot tall fire place.  

The E Bar L Ranch is home to a herd of over 200 free roaming Elk.

2008 Grizzly Ride Schedule

Location

E Bar L Ranch                                            8470 Sunset Hill Road                                   Greenough, MT 59823                                 phone: (406) 244-5571

Friday, September 5 

Grizzly Rider BBQ -

(Grizzly Riders and their guests) - Prescott House Pavilion - The University of Montana Campus   

• 6:00 - 7:00 pm    Cocktails
• 7:00 - 9:00 pm    Dinner

Saturday, September 6    

• 7:00 - 8:30 am     Breakfast                       (Grizzly Riders and invited guests)         DoubleTree Hotel - 100 Madison, Missoula    
• 5:30 - 7:00 pm    Social Hour - E Bar Lodge         
• 7:00 - 8:30 pm    Dinner - E Bar L Main Lodge
• 8:30 pm             Drinks & Conversation                                             
  

Sunday, September 7

• 7:00 - 8:30 am   Breakfast - E Bar L Lodge  
• 5:30 - 7:00 pm   Social Hour - E Bar L Lodge 
•  6:30 pm           Grizzly Rider Group Photo 
• 7:00 - 8:30 pm   Dinner - E Bar L Lodge 
• 8:30 - 9:15 pm   Comments by President George Dennison and UM guests

Monday, September 8    

• 7:00 - 8:30 am  Breakfast - E Bar L Lodge
• 5:30 - 7:00 pm  Social Hour - E Bar L Lodge    
• 7:00 - 8:30 pm  Dinner - E Bar L Lodge
• 8:30 - 9:15 pm  Comments
   

Tuesday, September 9

• 7:00 - 8:30 am   Breakfast - E Bar L Lodge
• 5:30 - 7:00 pm   Social Hour - E Bar L Lodge       
• 7:00 - 8:30 pm   Dinner - E Bar L Lodge
• 8:30 - 9:15 pm   Grizzly Rider Awards Ceremony
                      
  

Wednesday, September 10

• 7:00 - 8:30 am   Breakfast - E Bar L Main Lodge   
• Riders depart after breakfast.

For questions on Grizzly Ride Invitations, Reservations, BBQ, Dues, and General Information, please contact:

Sue Davy, Secretary                                           

• Phone: (406) 243-2582                             
• email:  DavySY@mso.umt.edu

                        or

Jim Royan, Trail Boss                           

• cell phone: (406) 550-3349                   
• email: royan.1@netzero

Juanita Vero, granddaughter to Bill Potter, has spent her entire life on the E Bar L Ranch.  Her great grandfather settled in the Blackfoot valley in 1913.  Juanita, her family and fellow members of the E Bar L are working with the Blackfoot Challenge, a landowner-based group, to restore and conserve the Blackfoot River corridor. 

  Andy Erickson of the E Bar L Ranch giving Grizzly Rider Gary Palm some expert Skeet shooting advice.