Beatty looked like the off-road capital of the world on April 25 and 26, as the town filled with 4x4s and ATVs for the Bighorn Outback Explorers 4th Annual Poker Run.
We reported to BLM and the Beatty Town Advisory Board that this year’s event was an “outstanding success,” with 195 vehicles participating. A majority of participants came from Nevada, with Pahrump and Tonopah well-represented, but there were others from California and Utah.
The course this year was 52 miles and was another good one put together from our Trail Master Karl Olson, Bryan Mariluch & Butch Baker. The Staking Crew were Karl Olson, Ron Seale, Bill Fiasco, Brian Mariluch, Anna Mulock, Aaron Taylor, Phil Jestic & Sandy Rowe,
The Sweep Crew were Rusty & Jennifer Anderson, Richard Siegfried, Mackenzie Anderson, Ashley Anderson, Robert Anderson, John Humphrey & Don Campbell, who worked closely with the Radio Crew on the route and their base station at the Beatty Community Center. We are happy to report that no participants were lost and no breakdowns.
The Clean-up crew, who braved the high winds and cold weather to inspect the trail and removed the stakes were Karl Olson, Rick Smith, Debbie & Butch Baker, Aaron Taylor, Jess Cruz, Barbie Colangelo & Randall Sharp.
Due to last year’s long lines from opening the sealed card envelopes, we chose to use an electronic card dealing program. It was a game changer.
With 6 stations for both registration & dealing, the lines were minimal. And although the electronics did not allow participants the “feel” of real card dealing, the long waits were the trade-off. A big thanks goes out to all the Dealing Station volunteers who staffed their computers from 6:30 am – 3:00 pm – Debbie Baker, Dakota Dawson, Gretchen Voeks, Ann Marchand, Dee Crawford, Mary Eason, Janet Gardner, Edie Koepnik, Chris Ford, Tim Ford, John Eason. And a Special thank-you to Mia Reed, Dakota’s daughter, who kept the dealt sheets moving, enabling us to determine the winners.
Our raffle and merchandise table was staffed by Kandis Addington and Ron Seale. We had many donated prizes from AngloGoldAshanti, Kisner Motorsports, Andy & Charm Kisner, Ron & Kandis Seale, Atomic Inn & BOE. Chef Chaz donated some trays of his ribs which made for fun auction items. Several people scored with those wins.
Food this year was provided by two separate groups.
Breakfast was offered from the Beatty Senior Center next door from 7:00 – 10:00 for those wanting to get their systems fueled up. They opened early to accommodate our Radio Safety Crew so they could get out on the course early. We greatly appreciated them offering the early serving.
Lunch was offered by Chef Chaz Vaughn and crew with Papi’s BBQ. They served up ribs or chicken along with kale salad, potato salad, rolls, and beans. A well rounded and very tasty meal.
Our beverage booth was staffed by the Beatty Volunteer Fire Department, Chief Mike Harmon, Summer & Jeremy Carter, with a variety of quenching drinks. A must stop after spending your time on the 52 miles of dirt, dust and wind. Thanks guys.
Thanks to the hard work of our President Rusty Anderson, VP Dakota Dawson, Treasurer Debbie Baker, members Jim Coe, Mathew Giltner, Marty Campbell, Steve Tafoya, Phil Justic, Sandy Rowe, Karen Gray-Jacoby, Dan Anderson, Butch Baker, Jimmy Faulkner and volunteers Adam Faulkner, Walch Reclamation, Ron Anderson, our staging area was usable for this year’s event. Security was provided by Darby, who may have foiled people that appeared to be casing the area.
The 1st place winning poker hand for $500.00 with a 4-King high was won by Joe Bush and 2nd place winning hand for $300.00 with a Full House A/Q was Willie Dutton.
With every event, you learn something new, and we will always be evolving. We tried to supply porta potties for the card stops this year, a suggestion from last year’s participants. However, due to the location of several card stops, we could not accomplish this. Pop-up porta potties were availed to the stops, but due to the high winds this year, 30 mph, they were not taken out of their cases. Karl is already working on next year’s route, so hopefully Mother Nature will be nicer.
Overall, from the reporting back of the event it was very positive. We were able to donate $2500.00 to the Beatty Senior Center and provide two – $1000.00 scholarships to Beatty High School graduates Jayvin Mendoza and Marilyn Godinez.
As you can tell from the list of volunteers, an event like this takes a village and we thank each and every one of them. We have already started planning our 2026 Poker Run. Stay tuned.
BOE Poker Run Committee
