Article and Photos by
Jack Raudy 530/389-9154 or jraudy@foothill.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRASS VALLEY (Jan. 28, 2007) – More than 580 four-wheel drive enthusiasts, some from as far away as Texas and Michigan, recently participated in the 25^th Winter Fun Festival, hosted by the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs.

Using the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, Calif. as the staging area, Association committee members organized 13 different trips in the high Sierra ranging from the Frostbite Extreme with deep snow depths to several historical sport utility vehicle (SUV) trips in the gold mining communities in Nevada County.

"Unfortunately, we didn’t have the normal accumulation of snow this year, but from all reports, everyone had a terrific experience," said Shawn Sidener, chairman for the Winter Fun Festival event. "In addition to the many four-wheel drive runs, we also offered games at the fairgrounds for the children such as the mini monster RC truck contest and the always popular Monte Carlo night for the adults."

The Historical SUV tour began its 100-mile journey at the North Star Mining Museum in Grass Valley. For the second year, Ron Kellogg, a member of the Sierra Treasure Hunters 4X4 Club, served as trail boss for this trip.

Kellogg told his guests that the North Star Mining Museum has been recognized as the most complete hardrock mining museum in California. Participants were afforded an opportunity to view the world’s largest 30-foot Pelton Wheel, a Man Skip that carried miners down into the mines and a Cornish Pump that was used to remove water from the mine shafts.

From Grass Valley the contingent passed through the historic town of Rough and Ready on their way to the Bridgeport covered bridge, that spans the South Yuba River. One of only nine covered bridges remaining in California, the Bridgeport Bridge is the longest single span wood truss covered bridge in the United States. Records indicate that early settlers and miners using the bridge and adjoining toll roads would have to pay $6 for 8 horses, mules or ox team and a single rider on horseback was assessed .25 cents.

From Bridgeport, the group continued to climb higher in the Sierra and passed through small mining towns such as North San Juan, Camptonville and Goodyears Bar on the way to Forest City.

Along the route, Kellogg pointed out an old metal sign that reads: "On July 1^st, 1887, an attempt was made to rob the Forest City Stage carrying a shipment of gold from the Bald Mountain Extension Mine. Tom Davis, driver, Ben Treloon, shotgun, were ordered to halt, but were shot and wounded before the stage could be stopped. The horses broke into a run pulling the stage clear of the ambush. A posse was mounted, but the bandits escaped down into the Oregon Creek Gulch without the gold."

The four-wheelers and their families pulled into Forest City around 12:30 p.m. where they had lunch and received an interesting briefing at the Forest City Dance Hall. Glenn Sundstrom, an archaeologist with the Tahoe National Forest.

Sundstrom, who has been active in preserving the old dance hall, said, "the town, containing 23 19^th century buildings, lies adjacent to the historic Henness Pass Road, the main freight route to the Virginia City mines. This trans-Sierra crossing is still largely unpaved." Sundstrom said there are volunteer efforts today to keep the town and the 1883 dance hall and museum accessible to the public and promote both foot and four-wheel drive recreation opportunities.

Sundstrom told his guests that Forest City was established in 1852 at the forks of Oregon Creek, near an unknown "breakout" of the Great Blue Lead, an ancient river channel running north and south, and covered by a volcanic mud flow.

Early claims were exceedingly rich and easily accessible and the town quickly grew to a population of over 1,000 by 1854. During its heyday, the town had seven provision stores, four clothing stores, one tine shop, five hotels, two livery stables, two meat markets, four blacksmith shops and five or six carpenter shops and also a restaurant.

From Forest City, the group made a quick tour through the town of Alleghany and finally concluded the trip back in Grass Valley.

"My brother and I had a great time," said Captain Scott Avent, who serves as the commander of the Combat Weather Team at Beale Air Force Base. "The trip surpassed our expectations. Not only the ride, or the other SUV trip we made the following day, but everything was top-notch. We are already making plans for next year’s event."

For more information on the 26^th annual Winter Fun Festival in January 2008, contact Shawn Sidener at (916) 257-6168 or email ssidener@jmchomes.com .

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