High Sierra Poker Run

More info coming soon

• Under special permit granted by the US Forest Service High Sierra Ranger District
• Oversized vehicles are not recommended on Swamp Lake Trail
• SUV run to Bald Mountain available on Saturday or Sunday
• Traction aiding differentials in either front or rear will be required for Swamp Lake Trail
• NEW! UTV run Saturday or Sunday
• NEW! Bald Mountain Ladies Run on Sunday

Have you ever considered running the Dusy Ershim trail but do not have the time? It usually takes 3+ days to complete this trail. Well we have the answer. The “Swamp Lake Trail”. Same difficult terrain, same beautiful scenery and you run it in one day. Or, would you prefer the scenic beauty of the Bald Mountain Trail? New for this year, we will also be offering a Side by Side (UTV) run on Bald Mountain. The UTV run will be led by Fresno’s Sidewayz Motor Sports (www.sidewayzmotorsports.com). All runs stage at Bald Mountain base camp, which is reached by a paved road accessible by motor homes and fifth wheels and offers plenty of free camping. Sunday night will feature a raffle and dinner.

Saturday morning up to fifty rigs will head to Swamp Lake, a challenging trail that climbs to over 9,000 feet and offers awe inspiring views of the Sierras including Mount Whitney, Grouse Lake and old mining operations. Squeeze Rock, Rooster Rock, the rock garden and Blast Rock are just some of the problems that drivers and spotters must negotiate over the fifteen mile loop trail. Full size rigs can negotiate the trail if the driver is skilled and can accept body damage. A locker, 33-inch tires, front and rear tow points, and other usual CA4WDC are required. A winch is strongly recommended. This year we are only offering the one day run on Swamp Lake..

If you have a new rig, are a new driver, or you just want to try out your new SUV, Bald Mountain Trail offers challenges and scenery that are still fun, but less stressful than the Swamp Lake trail. The Bald Mountain Lookout offers breathtaking views of Shaver Lake and the Central Valley. Hollywood Hill, “V” Rock, and Shale Hill are thrilling, but less likely to result in scratched body panels. There are other nearby trails that individuals can run on their own on Saturday or Sunday. Bald Mountain will be run on Saturday and Sunday as well if there is enough interest for a second run.

The Side by Side (UTV) run will be held opposite of the regular Bald Mountain run. Sidewayz Motor Sports has volunteered to lead this exciting run.

Sunday will include vehicle games in camp, another run up Bald Mountain for both regular vehicles and Side by Sides. Sunday night we will have our raffle and wonderful dinner.

For the woman, we will offer a woman’s only run on Bald Mt. This will be on Sunday leaving camp around 10 o’clock. This run will be a nice leisurely run up to the tower at the peak of Bald Mt. and then return in plenty of time to get back for the dinner and raffle.

The Central District is pleased to sponsor this CA4WDC fund raiser and we hope that more wheelers will make this part of their Labor Day plans. Since the Swamp Lake Run is limited to fifty rigs, be sure to sign up early if you are interested in this run. We will have on-site registration, but our hosts, the High Sierra Ranger District of the Sierra National Forest, is very committed to protecting these trails for all to enjoy in the future. For more information, contact: Alan Spires, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.