Sports Editor
Story and Photos by:

Jack Raudy 530/389-9154 or
Email jraudy@foothill.net

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CISCO GROVE – "I love learning about the history of an area and this trip was much better than going on your own and not knowing what you are looking at," said Cindy Prentice of Lincoln, who was one of the participants on the recent High Sierra Backcountry SUV trip hosted by the Sacramento-based Sierra Treasure Hunters four-wheel drive club.

Prentice and her family joined other families from throughout northern California and one family from Washington for a SUV off highway vehicle adventure that began at Cisco Grove Campground, traveled up to the top of several mountain peaks, crossed by two beautiful lakes and ended back at Cisco Grove.

Ron Kellogg, a member of the club from Elk Grove, served as chairman for the fall adventure. "For the past couple of years, our club has been very involved with organizing and hosting SUV trips," said Kellogg. "We have learned that these families feel far more confident going off the pavement with clubs that know their way around and with enthusiasts who know their history and can share that history with our guests."

After registering and meeting club members and other guests at Cisco Grove, the contingent, led by narrator and trail boss Jim Bramham of Sacramento, began their journey across Interstate 80 and up to the top of Cisco Butte.

"It was fun being at the top of the mountains," said Prentice. "It was also fun driving the vehicle up and down the mountains and seeing how it handled in four-wheel drive, low range."

From Cisco Grove, the group moved on to Kelly Lake where Bramham explained, "this was a popular resting spot on the Emigrant Trail for the early pioneers who were using this trail on their way to Marysville." At each stop along the route, Bramham would provide a historical narration about the area and offer his guests the opportunity to ask questions.

"Jim’s narration was very informative," said Mark Relitz of El Sobrante. "It was cool with the family channel radios; however, next time I plan to have my own CB radio."

From Kelly Lake to Valley Lake Reservoir about ten miles away, the SUV guests had an opportunity to use four-wheel drive, low range and experience a taste of technical four wheeling.

"Everything seems to be perfect, not too hard and not too long," said Johnny Martinez of Sacramento. "I learned that my Toyota 4-Runner is a very capable vehicle and it made me more confident about off road ventures."

Now it was time for lunch and the Sierra Treasure Hunters’ kitchen queen, Kathy Medley and other distaff members of the club, provided a gourmet meal that brought smiles from guests and members.

"Having this kind of lunch provided by the club makes it worthwhile to go with a group as opposed to going out on your own," said Prentice. "I really want to thank the gentleman who offered my daughter hot dogs, as she wasn’t as excited about the chili and stew as her mom and dad were."

With full stomachs and a new appreciation of four-wheeling, the group traveled through the beautiful Aspen trees with their radiant fall colors on the way to the top of 7,829-foot Signal Peak. At the top of the mountain where guests had a 360-degree view, Bramham pointed out Old Man Mountain, Spaulding Lake and a forest fire burning near Donner Lake.

The trip ended back at the Cisco Grove Campground where participants shared in light refreshments and learned more about upcoming SUV trips and the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs.

For information on upcoming events and SUV trips, visit the association website at www.cal4wheel.com or contact Jack Raudy at (530) 389-9154 or email jraudy@foothill.net.