California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc.
8120 36th Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95824-2304
916-381-8300

Contact: Jack Raudy
530/389-9154

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARYSVILLE, CA (June 15, 2004) – Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and other four-wheel drive owners anxious to take their vehicle off the highway and learn more about the history of the Mother Lode, might want to consider participating in the Sacramento Jeepers’ 5^th Annual Henness Pass Road trip, Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sunday, Sept. 19, beginning in Marysville, Calif. and ending in Virginia City, Nevada.

"This event is specifically designed as an overnight outing for SUV owners and families looking for a scenic drive through the Sierras with some mild four-wheeling and learning some interesting facts about California’s gold rush history," said Warner Anderson, noted Sierra historian and narrator for the trip.

According to Anderson, the Henness Pass Road, founded during the gold rush era, was one of the most heavily traveled routes in its day, but has virtually disappeared from most modern maps. He said participants on this year’s trip would travel up a ridge between the north and middle forks of the Yuba River and proceed over the Sierra Nevada Mountains via the Henness Pass near Webber Lake. Once over the crest of the mountains, the group will continue down near Verdi, Nevada and conclude their trip in historic Virginia City.

"This trip is particularly well-suited for families as we will not only explore this forgotten road with its breathtaking scenery, but we will also visit weathered ghost towns, old mine ruins and abandoned camps," said Anderson.

"We will be making many stops on this trip to provide our guests with a full appreciation of what was gong on in the early 1850’s along a road route believed to have been designed by Patrick Henness, " said Anderson. "By mid-1859, silver was discovered near Reno and the exodus of miners from California to the big Silver Bonanza was on. The Henness Pass Road, with its easy grades and established mining camps and stage stops along the way, became one of the more popular routes to the Comstock."

Cost for the Henness Pass Road trip is $140 per adult, $50 for children seven through 14 years of age and children six and under are welcome free of charge. The cost includes all meals, one t-shirt and one dash plaque per adult and one t-shirt for children ages seven to 14. There are a limited number of vehicles that may attend, so registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Since the trip is designed with overnight camping, Anderson recommends all participants bring camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags, air mattress, cooler, etc. A CB radio is recommended for the narrated portion of tour stops and any emergencies. Participants not owning a CB radio, may request a loaner in advance.

Participants will be asked to meet in the Kragen Auto Parts parking lot in Marysville, between 9^th and 10^th Streets at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18 for registration.

For more information on this year’s Henness Pass Road trip or to request a registration application, please visit the Sacramento Jeepers website at www.sacramentojeepers.org or email HPRT@sacramentojeepers.org. For additional questions, contact Tom Maneely at (916) 725-4625.

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California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs Inc
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CA4WDC, INC.
8120 36th Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95824-2304
800 - 4x4-Funn
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