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

Contact: Jack Raudy
(530) 305-9742 or email jraudy@foothill.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 SCENIC SUV EXCURSION THROUGH
THE EL DORADO NATIONAL FOREST
Slate Mountain Trail Ride, Saturday, July 12

PLACERVILLE (June 13, 2003) – Sport utility vehicle (SUV) and other four-wheel drive owners are invited to join the Capital City Mountain Goats Four-Wheel Drive Club on their annual Slate Mountain Trail adventure through the El Dorado National Forest on Saturday, July 12.

According to Dennis Bartholomew, one of the event organizers, this is a scenic, historic and narrated trip between Placerville and Georgetown. Bartholomew said participants would talk with a forest ranger who will discuss logging, gold mining and what pioneer life was like from the 1850’s to the early 1900’s and discover a network of four-wheel drive trails throughout the forest.

"This trip is really family oriented and affords an opportunity for some mild four-wheeling and learning about the early pioneers who settled in this region," Bartholomew said. "We will cross an old suspension bridge across a deep canyon; drive along an early railroad route, and visit an early dairy where milkmaids sold cream, butter and dairy products to the guests aboard the train."

In addition, guests on this trip will visit the stately remains of Deer View Lodge, a former resort that catered to the rich and famous in the 1880’s. The walls, staircase and architecture of this hidden historical artifact cover more than one acre and is hidden in the dense jungle-like overgrowth.

The roundtrip excursion will be approximately 120 miles and take between seven and eight hours. Bartholomew explained that any four-wheel drive vehicle could easily make the trip that will take participants to a maximum elevation of 3,700 feet.

Cost for the Slate Mountain Trail trip is $55 for adults 18 and over; $10 for children six through 17 and children five and under are welcome free of charge.

The trip price includes a country breakfast with eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy and a trail lunch replete with freshly cooked steak and chicken sandwiches, potato salad and beverages.

Participants will meet with club volunteers and for breakfast at the Capital City Mountain Goats clubhouse at 8 a.m., located at 13333 White Rock Road in Rancho Cordova. Maps will be provided to all registrants. The excursion will begin at 9 a.m. with vehicles in convoy proceeding to Placerville, where the adventure begins.

To register for this adventure in the El Dorado National Forest or for more information, contact Dennis Bartholomew at (916) 421-7788 or Richard Hutchens at (916) 685-2077.

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California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs Inc
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