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

Story and Photos by:
Jack Raudy, 530/389-9154

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

High Sierra Event Scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 10

Remember when Sierra Trek was so much fun that we couldn’t wait to get out on Interstate 80 and begin that climb up the hill to Meadow Lake? Remember when the kids started packing their camping gear for Trek three weeks before the event? Remember when we used to send in our registrations early to ensure we would get a spot on one of the short wheel base runs?

"Well, my fellow association members and four-wheel drive friends, those good old days are back and we plan to make this year’s Sierra Trek the best ever," said Carrol Bryant, who was recently appointed as this year’s Sierra Trek chairman. "We have assembled some outstanding committees; we have renewed enthusiasm throughout the community and people are now beginning to tell their friends."

The 37^th annual Sierra Trek will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 7 with the traditional short wheel base run up the Fordyce Creek Trail, beginning at approximately 7a.m. with the trip limited to 60 vehicles. (Bryant said all short wheel base participants this year will be required to have either front or rear lockers or both).

Also on Thursday, Jim Bramham will be leading a narrated, historical SUV Blackwood Canyon trip near Lake Tahoe. This trips includes stops at the Donner Memorial, Ellis Peak, the eastern portion of the famous Rubicon Trail, and many other points of interest along the way. Bramham said four-wheel drive, low range, is required for this trip as well as his Saturday historical SUV run.

Friday’s main events will feature the Fordyce Creek Trail short wheel base run with a limit of 125 vehicles and the always exciting Friday Star Trek run, that allows veteran four-wheelers to run the same difficult trail in the dark

Saturday will feature three different trips. Bryant explained that the traditional long wheel base run, now called the Bear Valley Run, will be set up for not only long-wheel base vehicles, but also SUV owners choosing a little more challenging adventure.

In addition, Saturday Trek will also offer the final short-wheel base trip on the Fordyce Creek Trail and another historical SUV run that will include old mining camps, a journey to the top of the Sierra Divide and portions of the historic Henness Pass Road.

"We want everyone to know that Sierra Trek isn’t just about wheeling," said Dick Shannon, who is Bryant’s co-chair. "The Meadow Lake camp will be buzzing with activities every day from dawn until the bonfire burns out. We have games, tours and activities planned for the kids and their parents."

Shannon said participants could look for a RTI ramp that will provide 30 degrees for articulating a vehicle and a tilt test that will measure a vehicle’s maximum tilt angle. Each day, Trek will offer walking and driving tours around the historic site of Summit City and "we are hopeful that the U.S. Forest Service will offer nature classes around Meadow Lake." Shannon said Smokey Bear will return and there will be ample time for photo-ops with the furry creature.

In addition, Shannon said this year’s event will see the return of a band on Friday and Saturday nights, preceded by karaoke for those who can sing and wannabe Trisha Yearwoods. Shannon said the manufacturer and vendor display will be larger than previous years and a 4X4 vehicle show is scheduled for Sunday morning.

While the majority of the volunteer position have been filled, Bryant said clubs are still needed for running the popular Trek raffle and preparing the Friday night dinner. "We also could use as many individual member volunteers as possible," said Bryant. "This could mean helping out in the kitchen, on one of the winch hills or assisting with camp activities."

Bryant explained that prices for all runs and camp activities have been increased by $5 this year. "As we all know, everything cost more these days," Bryant said. "Our food prices have gone up. Our sanitation costs have risen and we are paying far more now for our permits to use the trail and the Meadow Lake site."

Look for complete information, prices and registration form for 37^th annual Sierra Trek in this issue of In Gear.

For more information on this year’s Sierra Trek, contact Carrol Bryant at (916) 991-5601 or e-mail rokcrawln7@aol.com. Dick Shannon can be reached at (530) 269-7740 or e-mail rdsdms@mindspring.com.

To register, contact Robert Reed at (925) 447-3142 or e-mail sierratrek@attbi.com.

Jack Raudy, of Colfax, a freelance photo-journalist, has covered off-highway vehicle recreation events throughout California for the past 11 years. He is a member of the California Assn. of 4-Wheel Drive Clubs and can be reached at jraudy@foothill.net .

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