For the 40th year in a row the California 4WD Association put on it's largest event of the year, Sierra Trek. Sierra Trek is one of 6 events put on by the association each year and the funds raised are used to help keep our trails open and educate the users of those trails. It had been a few years since the Off-Road.com staff and been there to cover the festivities. For a little history be sure to check out our 1997, 1998, and 1999 coverage.
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| There is lots of great camping spots spread around the Meadow Lake Base Camp. Some are waterfront. Some are in the trees with more shade. The best spots fill early in the week but there is always plenty of space. |
We arrived at base camp Wednesday evening and set up our tent. As we drove in we passed a number of vehicles headed for Cisco Grove and the start of Thursday's Short Wheel base trip through the Fordyce Creek trail. While some make the trip from base camp the morning of the trail it makes for a very cold 2 hr trip in an open top vehicle. There is plenty of camping near the staging area or some opt for the Rainbow Lodge at the Cisco Grove exit off Hwy 80. On our way into the staging area we also seen some signs for Shinneyboo Creek Cabins.( http://www.shinneyboocreek.com/ )
Thursday would be the start of most activities. On Thursday there is a scenic SUV tour offered and the Fordyce Creek short wheel base run. The first meals are served Thursday evening. Since we had arranged to hitch a ride with committee members from South County Trail Riders on the Friday SWB run we packed our new Napier Sport pack and a few other necessities in the back or our ride. We would drive around to Cisco Grove, have some dinner, then camp near the staging area.
Fordyce Creek Trail
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| Early morning staging for Friday's short wheel base run. 115 vehicles plus committee members would tackle the trail. |
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| Jeeps and Toyotas dominated the run but we did spot this decked out Defender 90 set to take on the Fordyce Creek trail. |
The Fordyce Creek trail is not for the faint of heart and not for vehicles that have not been prepped properly. While some hard core 4wheelers may not consider this trail hard it has some obstacles that challenge even the best prepped vehicles and most experienced drivers. The winter weather changes the trail each year and for 2006 the trail was as challenging as ever. One thing that became apparent to us was that with the number of trail vehicles running larger and larger tires they are digging the holes in the trail deeper and deeper. Vehicles with 33" tires definelty had a more challenging day on the trail.
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| Sierra Trek is a family event and it looks like all passenger were having fun at the first creek crossing. |
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| The water levels are lowered during Sierra Trek but the creek crossing was still several feet deep. Each vehicle was checked for oil leaks before being allowed to pass. |
Carnage
As the day wore on the casualties accumulated. We witnessed or heard of just a few. A Samurai with a broken axle was repaired on the trail. The single Defender 90 broke a rear ring and pinion. A Jeep CJ with broken spring perches and rear u-joint. A CJ with fuel pump problems. An early Bronco with broken rear axles. A broken rear brake line on a CJ. Most were fixed on trail but several were taken out via the bypass. We know some did not make it back to base camp until around 2AM in the morning. I would like to commend the two Toyotas from the Loose Nuts 4WD club who voluntarily towed the broken Defender up winch hill 2 and to the bypass.
Winch Hill #1
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| Winch Hill #1 is great for spectators but a little hard to get to. |
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| Hmm. It may be time for the hook. |
Winch Hill #2
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| Extra challenge can be added to Winch Hill #2 by hooking a broken Land Rover Defender to your rear bumper. |
Winch Hill #3
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| Winch Hill #3 required a careful watch for Indians and Beggars. :-) |
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| Winch Hill #3 provided lots of good entertainment and Saturday night handed over $300 to CA4WD from collections on their hill. |
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| The top of the winch hill was tough with the squeeze but the alternate route was just as interesting. |
It was getting late in the day as we headed past winch hill 3 and toward the end of the trail. In fact we ran out of light for pictures before we got to the end of the trail. The early bronco below had to do the last part of the trail in 3 wheel drive as he had a broken rear axle.
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| The Sierra Mountains provide for a great back drop for some 4wheel fun. |
Winch Hill #5
While we were not able to photograph winch hill #5 on Friday we made the short jaunt from base camp on Saturday afternoon to watch some of the Saturday SWB run come up the hill. Note to drivers: Be prepared for hecklers on this hill. While it was all in good fun some drivers were not thrilled after a long day on the trail. Others loved the crowd and the hecklers egging them on.
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| Toyota vs Jeep, they both proved capable of taking on the Fordyce Creek Trail. |
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| This well equipped Samurai made Winch Hill #5 look easy. |
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| Follow the trail guide and not the hecklers and you will be fine.
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| And if all else fails, SHITLBUFFOUT. |
Base Camp Activities
Besides the SUV tours, Long Wheel base Run, and Fordyce Creek short wheel base runs there is a whole host of activities taking place in base camp starting Thursday. There are kids activities starting Thursday evening through Saturday evening. There was a Vendor area starting Friday. Horse shoes and bocci ball. Open bar. Texas Hold'Um tournament on Friday. A dunk tank on Friday and Saturday. A climbing wall on Friday and Saturday including special team relays. Live bands both Friday and Saturday night. RTI Ramp and Tilt test on saturday afternoon. Raffle on Saturday night. Young or Old there was plenty to keep you busy.
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| The climbing wall was a busy place along with the nightly campfire. |
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| The Winch Hill #3 team was giving Mohawks and collecting donations all night long Saturday night. |
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| The food area was a popular place come meal time. There is no fast food, that is within an hr of base camp. |
Summary
The California Association of 4wheel Drive clubs does an awesome job each an every year. If you have not been to Sierra Trek you need to put it on your to-do list. It is always held around the first part of August and the trail runs do fill up. Be sure to watch the association web sitefor event details in 2007 and get your registration in early. And besides it being a good time your $'s are going to a good cause.
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