4x4 at Montana State takes you off the beaten path

4x4 at Montana State is carving its own path through Montana’s rugged backcountry. Since its creation in 2018, the offroading club has steadily grown into a dedicated group of around 50 members passionate about exploring the great outdoors.

A 4x4 — or four-wheel-drive vehicle — is designed to send power to all four wheels simultaneously, which allows for better traction and control on uneven surfaces and off road. Four-wheeling is the act of driving these vehicles off road on trails.

Club President and junior Grant Keene shed light on the club’s mission, activities and what makes it unique. “We actually drive our cars. We don't just park them and talk about our cars. We drive them and get out on trails and use them,” he said.The $25 yearly club gives members many perks. These include free t-shirts, stickers and windshield banners, as well as discounts at O'Reilly Auto Parts and local wheel and tire stores. Rather than hosting competitive events, the club aims to promote a shared love for outdoor adventures, making the sport more accessible to people of all skill levels. “There's not any competition. It’s just about getting out there and having a good time,” Keene said.  Outside of planned excursions, members meet monthly to discuss upcoming trips, plan events and vote on activities suggested by fellow members.  An important part of the club is its philosophy regarding vehicles. According to Keene, the club cares more about driving skills and the capabilities of their drivers than any modifications their personal vehicles might have. “It’s not about how fancy your vehicle is; it’s about how you use it,” he explained. This allows for a lower barrier to entry than one might typically expect. “A lot of the struggle of getting into offroading is not the vehicle itself, really. It's just your willingness to get it dirty and scratched up,” said club member Alex Chapton. He joined the club after a member complimented his vehicle, a `98 Jeep Cherokee which he has modified with an eight-inch lift, bigger tires and custom suspension. “I think the best part of it is knowing that there's at least one person in the club that'll be —  if you break something and get stranded out on a trail — willing to come and help you out,” Chapton said. A recent trip to Pipestone and Hay Canyon served as an example of this purpose. Keene recounted an instance where a member successfully navigated a challenging trail in a stock Corolla — an achievement that surprised many. “It just goes to show that it’s not always about how built your vehicle is; driving skills play a huge role,” he said. According to Keene, Most of the trails the club uses are located on Forest Service land, with some on Bureau of Land Management land. The club is careful to respect trail closures and restrictions, reinforcing their commitment to responsible offroading. “We respect gate closures, trail closures and trail restrictions because not every hiker wants to see a car coming down the same trail they're on,” he said.Whether you're an experienced off-roader or just curious about getting started, the club welcomes all MSU students to come along for it’s next exciting adventure.

For more information about the club and it’s upcoming events, be sure to visit https://www.instagram.com/4x4atmontanastate