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 or jraudy@foothill.net

GRASS VALLEY (Jan. 29, 2005) – More than 700 four-wheel drive enthusiasts from throughout northern and central California agreed that this year’s heavy snow fall in the high Sierra Mountains helped make the recent Winter Fun Festival in Grass Valley one of the most exciting events on record.

Hosted by the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, the 23^rd annual Winter Fun event featured 12 different snow trips with names such as Blizzard Brigade, Siberian Express, Glacier Assault and as well as several historical trips designed for sport utility vehicle (SUV) owners.

Jim Bramham of Sacramento, trail boss and narrator for one of the SUV trips, guided participants from the famous Empire Mine in Grass Valley, through Nevada City and onto the Purdon Crossing Road, up Tyler Foote Road and Grizzly Hill Road on the way to an upstream crossing of the south fork of the Yuba River.

Bramham explained that he has a special affection for this part of the Mother Lode: "my great grandparents and their parents arrived in Grass Valley in the 1880’s. My grandmother was born in a house on the lower Empire Mine property in 1898 and my grandfather, who was born in England, worked at the mine for 35 years until it closed in 1955." Part of the trip through Grass Valley also included a visit to the local cemetery where many early settlers are buried including several of Bramham’s relatives.

After a crossing the Edwards Crossing Bridge on the Yuba River, the group proceeded up Blue Tent Road and Conservation Road on the way to the historic mining town of Washington, where the four-wheelers enjoyed a hot lunch at the Washington Hotel and received a special presentation from 90-year-old Carl Cicogni, who was born in Washington and worked in several of the mines in the area.

Spry and full of wit, Cicogni opened his remarks by telling the group, "three famous people have stayed overnight in this hotel. They were Wyatt Erp, Grover Cleveland and me." As the guests laughed and continued to savor their lunch, Cicogni recited poems he had written and told interesting stories about life in the mines during the early years.

With their stomachs full and a greater appreciation of the hardships encountered by the early mining families, the group started up Relief Hill Road, where Bramham said James Reed, a member of the Donner Party, had established a half-way camp and stored supplies that he used during three "Relief" trips it took to retrieve survivors of the Donner Party.

Bramham had planned to take the contingent higher into the backcountry; however, they encountered three feet of snow at the 4,000-foot mark and had to turn around.

Mark Calegari of Petaluma was a participant on this trip in his Jeep Rubicon and he was joined by his brother, Tom Stewart of Middletown, who was driving a Jeep TJ. "Speaking for my brother and myself, I can tell you we both enjoyed this trip and well as the Sunday trip," said Calegari. "Jim was a terrific leader and made both trips a lot of fun. We are looking forward to the next event."

"As a leader I try to have continuous trail trips whenever possible," said Bramham, "but this year the snow was so heavy that I had to do some improvising and find the fun where we could."

George Adaza of Galt, along with his wife, Celia and daughter, Sophia, were making their maiden off-highway event. "We really enjoyed Winter Fun, the friendly people and the good food," said George Adaza. "I really want to thank Jim, our trail guide, who did a fantastic job and I was lucky enough to win a prize during the evening raffle."

Oly Olson of Placerville and a member of the Flat Fenders Jeep Club served as chairman of this year’s Winter Fun Festival. "This was an outstanding event for the association and all of the participants," said Olson. "The weather was helpful in making this event a success as there was plenty of snow for the trail rides and good weather at our base camp at the Nevada County Fairground in Grass Valley. I also want to thank all of the committees and volunteers who put in many hours and days to make this event a reality."

Olson said there were too many volunteers to name them all, but he wanted to particularly thank the Sierra Treasure Hunters Four Wheel Drive Club for preparing the Friday night dinner, the Santa Rosa 4X4s for Saturday breakfast, the Mother Lode Rock Crawlers for Saturday dinner and Diablo Four Wheelers for Sunday breakfast. He also paid special thanks to Pat Bashore of Auburn of her untiring efforts as registration chair and Ned Bacon of the Flat Fenders for orchestrating the games for the children.

For more information on upcoming 2005 SUV trips and other events hosted by the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, contact Jack Raudy at (530) 389-9154 or email jraudy@foothill.net.

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