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, CA (Jan. 29, 2006) – More than 600 four-wheel drive enthusiasts, including seasoned veterans and newcomer sport utility vehicle (SUV) owners, recently participated in the 24^th annual Winter Fun Festival held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, CA.

Hosted by the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, this year’s snow event featured 13 different trail selections ranging from the challenging Frostbite Extreme in the high Sierra to the tamer historical SUV tour in Nevada County’s gold mining country.

"The snow gods were clearly looking after us this year," said Oly Olson, of Placerville, this year’s Winter Fun Festival chairman. "It appeared earlier in the week that we would be four-wheeling in the mud; however, a weekend storm brought us plenty of snow and miles of smiles."

The scenic and historical SUV tour attracted participants from as far away as North Hollywood and Redding and they not only experienced an exciting trip in the snow, but a history lesson about some of the richest mining communities in California.

Ron Kellogg, of Elk Grove and a member of the Sierra Treasure Hunters 4X4 Club, served as trail boss on the historical tour. "I was honored when Oly (Olson) asked me to take responsibility for this trip replacing Warner Anderson, who is a noted historian and leader of the historical tour for many years," said Kellogg. "I read all of Warner’s notes and collected a great deal of information about the rich history of the area so I could share it with our guests."

After a brief stop at the North Star Mining Museum in Grass Valley where participants viewed a 30-foot Pelton Wheel and a Cornish Pump that was used to remove water from mine shafts, the group headed to Bridgeport, where they were invited to walk across the world’s longest single span wood truss covered bridge.

After touring the bridge, the group was off to explore historical points of interest with colorful names like French Corral, Petersen’s Corner, Moonshine Road and the Oregon Creek covered bridge. The four-wheelers arrived at Goodyear’s Bar right on schedule; however, Kellogg learned that the road had been washed out, so alternative plans were put in place.

"We turned around and drove back to Comptonville, where we planned to use the Henness Pass Road to get to Forest City," said Kellogg, "but I think the locals may have used the road signs for fire wood." After some serious map study, the contingent began climbing the Henness Pass Road and it wasn’t long before the road was covered with snow and the call came over the CB radios to lock all the vehicles into four-wheel drive.

After several miles of deep snow and breathtaking scenery, the group arrived at Forest City where they were met by Glenn Sundstrom, a local archeologist , who is spearheading efforts to preserve the old dance hall.

Sundstrom explained to the Winter Fun guests that Forest City was established in 1852 when two forks of Oregon Creek bisected and washed a great quantity of river gravels within and downstream of the townsite. "Because of this," Sundstrom said, "early claims were exceedingly rich and easily accessible."

The town quickly grew to a population of more than 1,000 by 1854 and there were at least 15 mines of significance in operation either in town or in the vicinity. Sundstrom said the surface workings and tunnels into the streambeds continued to pay up into the 1860s, when a decline set in.

After the presentation and tour of Forest City, the group headed back to the Grass Valley fairgrounds, where everyone was treated to a sumptuous roast beef dinner, complete with mashed potatoes and gravy.

George Graner of Sunnyvale, who has made several off-highway trips with the four-wheel drive association in his Dodge Dakota, had this to say about the winter historical SUV tour: "I have traveled with other people and groups; however, I have never felt more comfortable and safe then with the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Association and their associate clubs. As always, I want to thank all of the volunteers for another full-filled and safe trip."

For more information on California Association of Four Wheel Drive trips and events, interested four-wheelers are invited to the association’s website www.cal4wheel.com.

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