Sierra Trek Event Program - 2006 : simplebooklet.com

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5Sierra Trek / 1966-2006CHAIRMAN’S WELCOMEWELCOME TOSIERRA TREK Welcome to the 40th Anniversary Sierra Trek. Where else can you have so much fun and support CA4WDC in its fund raising efforts! CA4WDC puts on six events every year to keep our trails open and educate the users of those trails. Sierra Trek is CA4WDC’s largest event and this 40th anniversary we expect 1,500 people to join in the fun. Speaking of fun, we have lots of it! In addition to the challenging Fordyce Trail, the SUV and long wheel base trails, we have the beautiful area around Meadow Lake to explore and we have a plethora of in-camp activities for you. We have a Texas Hold-um poker tournament on Friday, a great vendor show, tilt test and RTI ramp, horseshoes, a celebrity dunk tank, and the climbing wall is back. It is free to kids and we have a special afternoon competition for clubs and groups both Friday and Saturday.To successfully put on an event like Sierra Trek, we have 47 committees with more than 500+ volunteers and support staff. Be sure to thank these people when you meet them and consider being a volunteer yourself next year. It’s a lot of work, but it is rewarding and a lot of fun!Please wait until you’re in camp to consume alcohol so all of us can enjoy the trail safely. We have an excellent bar set up for your needs so enjoy!We hope you have an awesome time on the trails, savor the food, and enjoy the activities!Dick ShannonChairmansierra trek program 06.indd 5 7/11/06 10:45:24 AM

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6Sierra Trek / 1966-2006SCHEDULE OF EVENTSTHURSDAY:SWB run stages at 6:30 am – departs 7:30 amSUV run stages at 7:30 am – leaves at 8:00 am (at Hwy 89 OHV park)Bank open 1:00 pm to midnightKids Games: See Voyager schedule on page 9In camp safety inspection open 1:00 pm to 4:00 pmState Merchandise booth open 3:00 pm to 7:00 pmT-shirt booth open 3:00 pm to 8:00 pmDinner served from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pmFRIDAY:Committee run stages at Cisco Grove gas station at 3:30 am; depart at 4:30 amSWB run stages at 5:00 am – departs at 6:00 amBreakfast served from 8:00 am to 10:00 amShowers open 8:00 am to 11:00 am; again from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pmBank open 9:00 am to midnightTrade show open 9:00 am to duskState Merchandise booth open 10:00 am to 9:00 pmT-shirt booth open 9:00 am to 9:00 pmRafﬂe booth open from 12 noon to 9;00 pmLunch served from 12 noon to 1:30 pmIn camp safety inspection open 1:00 pm to 4:00 pmBar open from 1:00 pm to 1:00 amTexas Hold’um poker tournament open at 1:00 pm (in the Bar area)RTI ramp open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pmTilt test open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pmDunk tank open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pmClimbing Wall open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, special team relay from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)Kids Games and Smokey Bear: See Voyager schedule on page 9Star Trek stages at 5:00 pm – departs at 6:00 pmDinner served from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm *Trek History Show at 8:00 pm at stageLive music and dancing starts at 9:00 pm to midnight*Note: Food will be available to drivers and crew of rigs coming off trail until thirty minutes after last rig is in.SIERRA TREK 2006sierra trek program 06.indd 6 7/11/06 10:45:24 AM

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7Sierra Trek / 1966-2006SATURDAY:Committee run stages at Cisco Grove gas station at 4:00 am; depart at 5:00 amSWB run stages at 5:00 am – departs at 6:00 amLong wheel base Bear Valley run stages at 6:30 am; breakfast at 7:15 am; drivers meeting at 8:00 am; depart at 8:10 am (main camp)SUV run stages at 8:00 am – leaves at 9:00 am (main camp at yellow bus)Breakfast served from 8:00 am to 10:00 amShowers open 8:00 am to 11:00 am; again from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pmBank open 9:00 am to midnightTrade show open 9:00 am to duskKids Games: See Voyager schedule on page 9State Merchandise booth open 10:00 am to 9:00 pmT-shirt booth open 9:00 am to 9:00 pmRafﬂe booth open from 12 noon to 9;00 pmLunch served from 12 noon to 1:30 pmBar open from 1:00 pm to 1:00 amRTI ramp open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pmTilt test open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pmDunk tank open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pmClimbing Wall open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, special team relay from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)Dinner served from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm*Rafﬂe drawing at 8:00 pmLive music and dancing starts at 9:00 pm to midnightSUNDAY:Breakfast served from 7:00 am to 8:30 amRafﬂe booth open 9:00 am to 10:00 amBank open 9:00 am to 10:00 amAnnouncements at 9:45 amEVENT CLOSES AND CLEAN UP BEGINS AT 10:00 AM. THERE WILL BE A RAFFLE FOR THOSE HELPINGWITH THE CLEAN UP.SCHEDULE OF EVENTSSCHEDULE OF EVENTSsierra trek program 06.indd 7 7/11/06 10:45:24 AM

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8Sierra Trek / 1966-2006CAMP ACTIVITIESSIERRA TREK 2006CAMP ACTIVITIESThis year we have provided some fun activities for you when you are in camp. Here are some things to plan on:■ RTI Ramp and Tilt Test (Friday & Saturday 2 pm to 4 pm)■ Dunk Tank (Friday & Saturday 2 pm to 5 pm)■ Climbing Wall (free for kids 2 pm to 5 pm, special team competition at 5 pm both Friday and Saturday)■ Special Texas Hold’um Poker Tournament on Friday starting at 1 pm adjacent to the bar. There will be 48 seats available at $30 per seat with prizes for the last three sitting. There will be a buyback available during the ﬁ rst hour.■ Vendor Show (both Friday 7 Saturday)MUCH MORE — SO JOIN US IN CAMP WHEN YOU’RE NOT ON THE TRAIL!sierra trek program 06.indd 8 7/11/06 10:45:27 AM

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9Sierra Trek / 1966-2006SIERRA TREK 2006VOYAGER PROGRAM(PLEASE CHECK THE BOARD IN FRONT OF THE VOYAGER TENT FOR ANY CHANGES)THURSDAY Voyager Welcome 6 – 8 pmFRIDAY Voyager Carnival (Preschool-3rd grade) 10 am – NoonVoyager Craft Project 1 – 2 pmVoyager Tread Lightly Class 3 – 5 pmSATURDAY Voyager ATV Safety Class 10 am – NoonVoyager Craft Project 1 – 2 pmVoyager Olympics 3 – 4 pmVoyager Rafﬂ e 6 pmVoyager ATV Rafﬂ e 7:30 pmThe Voyager play area will be open from 9 am – 6 pm Friday and Saturday for parents who wish to bring their children to play under the parent’s supervision. There will be workbooks and projects for the Voyagers to complete this weekend to earn points towards savings bonds. These are perfect projects for them to work on while on the trail or sitting around camp. We will be selling Voyager tank tops and tees at Sierra Trek. Visit the Voyager tent to buy yours for your children and grandchildren.Tickets for the Voyager Rafﬂ e will be on sale all weekend at the Voyager tent. There will be lots of great gifts — from cash to an Xbox — so do not forget to get your tickets early. Ticket sales will stop Saturday at 5:30 pm. 4 Wheel Parts of Sacramento has graciously offered to sell the Voyagers a beautiful new 90cc ProComp ATV at their cost for the Voyagers to rafﬂ e off in honor of Sierra Trek’s 40th anniversary. Ticket sales for the Voyager ATV Rafﬂ e will end at 7:00 pm Saturday. We want to thank Jesse and the Sacramento 4Wheel Parts for their generosity and hope everyone will buy lots of tickets to support this fundraiser for the Voyagers. VOYAGER SCHEDULEsierra trek program 06.indd 9 7/11/06 10:45:33 AM

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10Sierra Trek / 1966-2006WEED ADVISEMENTNOXIOUS WEEDSYELLOW STAR THISTLECOURTESY WWW.INVASIVESPECIESINFO.GOVThe USDA Forest Service has requested that all vehicles that are running on the Fordyce Jeep Trail be washed immediately prior to the event. This is a preventative measure to help prevent the introduction and spread of noxious weeks such as yellow star thistle. Vehicles can spread weeds from one site to another by carrying plant parts and seeds.When a vehicle is driven through a weed-infested area, weed seeds may become lodged between the tire treads, in the coils of a winch, behind the license plate, or in cracks and crevices on the underside of the vehicle. Seeds may travel hundreds of miles before becoming dislodged in an area where the weeds were not previously found. The source of many weed infestations has been traced to roads, trails, railroads, and other travel ways.To prevent the spread of weeds from vehicles participating in the Sierra Trek event, thoroughly wash the undercarriage and tire tread of the vehicle to remove seeds and bits of vegetation. The material may have been picked up during the last run or from where the vehicle was last parked. Noxious weeds such as yellow star thistle are common in urban areas and along the highways leading to the Sierra Trek event.sierra trek program 06.indd 10 7/11/06 10:45:35 AM

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13Sierra Trek / 1966-2006RAFFLE INFORMATIONSATURDAY NIGHT RAFFLEThe rafﬂe this year will again be held on Saturday night, August 12, at 8:00 pm.The ﬁrst ten prizes will be pulledand given out at that time.The remaining prizes will be drawn immediately afterward and a computer printout will be provided for easy ticket identiﬁcation. Any prize not picked up by Sunday morning at 10:00 am will be redrawn and awarded Sunday morning to the clean-up crew. You are welcome to participate in the clean-up efforts and will be eligible for some additional great rafﬂe prizes.All ticket sales will end at 7:00 pm on Saturday night.For more information go to the rafﬂe booth in main camp. Buy your tickets and get ready to win some great prizes!RAFFLE DONORS(AS OF JULY 1, 2006)Shane Hutchings TJ Light BracketsSunny’s Electric Marine Battery and switchCalifornia Casual Sportswear T-shirtsARB 25% gift certiﬁcateAdvance Adapters $250 gift certiﬁcateExtreme Outback Products Four $100 gift certiﬁcatesOphir Gopher Jeep Club $50Tera Manufacturing Gift certiﬁcate for NV231 4.0-1 kitTiny Bits of Silver Two $50 gift certiﬁcatesDM Offroad Concepts 1 pair 4-bolt high steer arms for Dana 44sierra trek program 06.indd 13 7/11/06 10:45:41 AM

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14Sierra Trek / 1966-2006RULES & REGUL ATIONSPLEASE READ CAREFULLY...THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLY TO ALL TRIPS! This includes Short Wheelbase, Bear Valley Run, Committee Trips, and all persons attending the 40th Annual Sierra Trek. ALL vehicles will be safety inspected and if they are found unsafe for any reason by the safety committee they will not be allowed on the trail. This applies to everyone!MANDATORY RULES1. Antennas in excess of four feet six inches will be removed from the vehicle.2. All vehicles, except those with permanent metal tops, must have a roll bar.3. All vehicles must be equipped with a functioning, mechanical emergency brake or micro lock.4. Vehicles must be equipped with a seat belt for EACH occupant in the vehicle.5. Vehicles must carry a tow rope, strap, cable or chain and a ﬁ rst aid kit.6. Vehicles must be equipped with mufﬂ ers, NO open headers.7. Vehicles must carry a suitable spare tire, acceptable to the safety committee. NO EXCEPTIONS! All tires must be in good condition.8. Vehicles must have an approved ﬁ re extinguisher and the gauge must register okay.9. No pets are allowed in main camp.REMINDER: Anyone arriving with a antenna over four feet six inches in length, ﬁ berglass or steel, will be asked to remove it. It will be tagged and given to the safety chairman and returned to the owner at Meadow Lake base camp. All vehicles must meet the California Vehicle Code and all Forest Service regulations, must be obeyed at all times. This includes campﬁ re regulations.sierra trek program 06.indd 14 7/11/06 10:45:48 AM

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15Sierra Trek / 1966-2006TRAIL GUIDELINESFOR THE TRAIL1. Obey the instructions of the Trail Committee at all times. The Trail Committee will be monitoring channel 20 for any emergencies. Don’t use this channel to talk to your friends.2. Each vehicle will be allowed two attempts at any winch spot and after that the vehicle will be winched to avoid any unnecessary delays and so that you can get to the base camp at a reasonable time.3. All trails pass over Tahoe National Forest and private lands. Respect the property as much as possible so we can continue to use these lands. Remember to TREAD LIGHTLY on public and private lands.4. Stay on the trail, Avoid damage to meadows, vegetation, loose or wet soil.5. Be careful of ﬁ re hazards. Watch your cigarettes, matches, leaking gasoline, and your exhaust system. Don’t litter. You haul it in, you haul it out! A truck will be at main camp for litter!6. Any vehicle that is unable to move under its own power may not be towed except to the nearest wide spot. The vehicle must remain at this spot until the vehicle has been repaired and able to proceed under its own power. No vehicle may be towed on the trail for any reason, except by the trail crew. Should this rule be broken, the vehicle doing the towing as well as the broken vehicle, will not be allowed to participate in future Sierra Treks.7. Only one vehicle should be on any steep portion of the trail at one time. Do not stop at the top of a hill; this is to avoid any unnecessary congestion or delays.8. Dry your brakes after passing through water; apply the brakes while driving until dry.sierra trek program 06.indd 15 7/11/06 10:45:53 AM

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20Sierra Trek / 1966-2006COMMIT TEE LISTChairman Dick ShannonCo-Chairman Jim MillerSecretary Pat BashoreRegistration Bob ReedTreasurer Gary JohnsonPublicity Jack Raudy/Chris CollardSecurity Dana Holland/Mike WarrenMedical Mike Golub/Cricket CalvertCommunications Ron CalkinsCamp Coordinator Norm Sovereign/Stephen DeckerHeavy Equipment Leonard Cassieri/Steve MedleyTrade Show Joe & Nellie MalloyFriday Sierra Trek Historical Show Jim BramhamRafﬂe Madhatters (Mike Navone)Showers Sierra Treasure Hunters (Matt Hoey)Clothing Bonnie SteeleProgram Suzy JohnsonChildren’s Games Judy LollichCamp Activities/Adult Games Wine Country Rock Crawlers (Jim Miller)Entertainment Joe MalloyDuties As Assigned Deleaua ShannonFood Buyer/Coordinator Don KlusmanFood Manager Kathy Medley (Mari Herget, Sierra Treasure Hunters)Bar Jason Bramham/Shawn SidenerSnack Bar Jason Bramham/Shawn SidenerThursday Dinner Rat Pack (Don Bleach)Friday Breakfast Wine Country Rock Crawlers (Steve Sampson)Friday Lunch Sacramento Wide Trackers (Trisa O’Brien)Friday Dinner Sierra Treasure Hunters (Linda Bryant)Star Trek Breakfast Kate OlsonSaturday Breakfast 4x4 In Motion (Mary Krupka)Saturday Lunch Just 4 Fun (Dave Tildsley)Saturday Dinner Mendocino 4x4 (Mike Woll)Sunday Breakfast Diablo 4 Wheelers (Eric Sheet)Coffee Jim HarrisTrail Coordinator South County Trail Riders (Larry Calkins)In-Camp Safety Inspection Santa Maria 4Wheelers (John Stewart)Friday Staging Kimber & Randy WheelerSaturday Staging Grass Valley 4 Wheelers (Morris Zemlicka/SIERRA TREK 2006sierra trek program 06.indd 20 7/11/06 10:46:27 AM

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21Sierra Trek / 1966-2006COMMIT TEE LISTTom Booth)Thursday Short Wheelbase Sierra Treasure Hunters (Chris Collard/ Jim Harris)Star Trek Flat Fenders (Oly Olson)Friday Short Wheelbase South County Trail Riders/Nevada Nomads (Buzz Johnson/Dick Young)Saturday Short Wheelbase South County Trail Riders (Jonathon Burgess/Don Spuhler)Bear Valley Run David Renschler/Dixon 4 Wheelers (Randy McCaul)SUV Run (Thurs. & Sat.) Jim BramhamCommittee Trip Joaquin Jeepers (Larry Paukert)Winch Hill #1 Cal Sierra 4x4s (Marshall Gregory)Winch Hill #2 Tim Jacobson/Dan Hiney/NorCal CrawlersWinch Hill #3 Keith Ratzburg/Four Dice 4 Wheel Drive ClubWinch Hill #4 Randy McCaul/Dixon 4 WheelersWinch Hill #5 Wine Country Rock Crawlers (Jerry Totten/Doug Faloni)COMMITTEESsierra trek program 06.indd 21 7/11/06 10:46:31 AM

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22Sierra Trek / 1966-2006HISTORYIt is a four-wheeling anniversary! For the past 40 years, members of CA4WDC have worked diligently to promote, organize and put on Sierra Trek, one of the association’s best attended and most successful annual fund raising events held every year in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California.It all began over forty-ﬁve years ago with a dream. Ed Dunkley, Lew Siepert, along with help from a few other people, decided to see if they could ﬁnd the old wagon trail from Cisco Grove to Meadow Lake. Ed knew a man named Jack Enal who was in his eighties. His father was a butcher in Truckee in 1880s and supplied meat that was taken to Cisco Grove Trading Post. Jack was just a boy then. After talking with him in some detail, it was decided to try to ﬁnd the old trail. The ﬁrst year they made it to the ﬁrst creek crossing where a huge tree had fallen and made it impossible to cross. The group turned around and decided to come back with chain saws. The next year they came back to discover the tree was gone. They crossed the creek but didn’t get very far — only about a mile or less and there were several trees down. The 40 YEARS OF SIERRA TREKBY DON KLUSMANMEADOW LAKE - 1977Continued on page 25ED DUNKLEYsierra trek program 06.indd 22 7/11/06 10:46:34 AM

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23Sierra Trek / 1966-2006HISTORYSIERRA TREK MILESTONES1967 First Sierra Trek was held in October at Meadow Lake, with the ﬁrst run being at Fordyce Creek Trail. Ed Dunkley was chairman, and three clubs volunteered their time. Fifty Jeeps and Broncos made the trail.1971 Fordyce Creek Trail and Meadow Lake was voted by the North District to be the ofﬁcial site for Sierra Trek.1974 Herman Rinkle of the Sierra Treasure Hunters organized the ﬁrst moneymaking rafﬂe.1975 A Saturday Long Wheel base run was added to Sierra Trek. 1976 The Dirty Dozen Jeep Club introduced the famous “Shackle Grabber” drink and container, named after a boulder that was once a major obstacle on Winch Hill #3. Live music was also introduced at Sierra Trek for the ﬁrst time.1979 Sierra Trek goes from beer and wine to a full service bar.1980 Star Trek was born: a night run of the Fordyce Trail started by Dave Menefee of the Capitol City Mountain Goats 4WDC.1982 Sierra Trek is expanded to two short wheelbase runs with one being on Friday and one on Saturday.1986 Due to Mother Nature’s work, a #5 winch hill was added. Sierra Trek hosted a group from United Four Wheel Drive on a special Thursday short wheelbase run.1987 First vehicle show was held at Meadow Lake base camp. This also was the year that Sierra Trek added a Thursday short wheelbase run making Sierra Trek a four-day event.Continued on page 24sierra trek program 06.indd 23 7/11/06 10:46:34 AM

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24Sierra Trek / 1966-20061989 A snack bar was added to base camp.1991 The 25th Annual Sierra trek was a great success. A vendor show was introduced with interested vendors invited to set up booths to show and demonstrate their products. Also that year a concrete dance ﬂoor was poured and a campﬁre program was added. Tables and chairs were added for dining.1992 A well was drilled on Mr. Gleason’s property for use by Sierra Trek.1996 A Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) run was added.1998 The only year Sierra Trek had to be postponed due to snow blocking the road to Meadow Lake. The road had to be plowed, causing Sierra Trek to be postponed for two weeks. 2000 All new tent-style booths with tables were purchased, replacing the wooden booths of the past.2002 A totally new bar was built with backdrops and expanded choices.2003 A full salad bar was added to Saturday night dinner.2004 A full salad bar was added to all three dinners. HISTORYSIERRA TREK MILESTONESContinued from page 24The new dance ﬂoor being poured in 1991.sierra trek program 06.indd 24 7/11/06 10:46:36 AM

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25Sierra Trek / 1966-2006next year they got to where Winch Hill 1 is. It was bad! After throwing a lot of rock, they made it up the hill. Then they got down just before the second creek crossing. At that time, the road went around the left hand side of the river and went up to an old cabin, but the road ended and there was just a foot trail. They decided that this was not the right way so they turned around and went back down to the creek. The group walked up and down the creek and ﬁnally saw some Alders and looked under the trees and saw that there were some stumps under these trees that had been cut many years ago. They cut away the trees and found the crossing and then proceeded across and up the trail. They found the whole hill that went up to Winch Hill 2 that was nothing but solid brush. So they proceeded to drive up through the brush. A ways up, the brush cleared and they found the trail again. They went up to Winch Hill number 2 and from there they had to get out the chain saws several more times to clear small trees that were in the trail. They had a lot of trouble ﬁnding the number 3 crossing but they did and were sure it was the original crossing. That is as far as they got that year.The next year they pro–ceeded to go back and got to Winch Hill 3. After hours of placing rock, they made it up the hill. Then it was on towards Meadow Lake. As they approached the area just below Winch Hill 5, they encountered the mine and there was no easy way through. After dragging the Jeeps over concrete and rock walls, they got to just below where Winch Hill 5 is today they saw a fresh tire track! HISTORYHISTORY OF SIERRA TREKContinued from page 26Continued on page 26The old cabin near Winch Hill #5 in 1982.sierra trek program 06.indd 25 7/11/06 10:46:38 AM

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26Sierra Trek / 1966-2006Someone had came down and turned around. What a sight! It was about midnight and they were not sure where they were but they must be somewhere someone else has been. They made their way to Meadow Lake and got a few hours of sleep, then headed out towards Hwy. 89. In those days, this was no easy trip in itself. There was no blacktop until you got to Hwy. 89, but they had found it. It took ﬁve years. In 1966 Ed took a group of people that was about 20 vehicles on an informal run up the trail. In those days the road/trail did not go where the road is today above Winch Hill 5. The trail went to the right and went around a little lake where an old cabin stands and entered into Meadow Lake near the dam. After the road was put in that we use today, the old trail is now used as part of the SUV run. The idea of making this into an event came from a North District meeting held on July 15, 1967 when Al Bradley of the Sacramento Jeepers suggested they organize an annual fund raising event similar to the Jeepers Jamboree. Ben Pugh of the Camellia City Broncos than made a motion to that effect.Forty years ago, the association was growing but still didn’t have the funds to do things the way they had envisioned. They needed fund raising events to generate the monies necessary to implement a publicity program and establish HISTORYHISTORY OF SIERRA TREKContinued from page 25Continued on page 27Having a little fun in 1985.sierra trek program 06.indd 26 7/11/06 10:46:41 AM

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27Sierra Trek / 1966-2006a full-time Sacramento ofﬁce. Sierra Trek was the North District’s response to then CA4WDC’S President Doug Reeder’s request that each district organize fund raising events.The ﬁrst Sierra Trek was held October 7-8 1967. The base camp established at Meadow Lake near Truckee and the run participants used the Fordyce Creek Trail. There were three committees, represented by three clubs in this, the ﬁrst Sierra Trek. Ben Pugh of the Camellia City Broncos chaired the Publicity Committee, Mary Karoly of the Sierra Treasure Hunters chaired the Food Committee, and Ed Dunkley of the Sacramento Jeepers chaired the Event and Trail Committee. Fifty Jeeps and Broncos made the trail ride.The following year, Sierra Trek was moved to Mormon Emigrant Trail at Carson Pass. The run began at Kirkwood Meadows and ascended the eastern slope of Thimble Peak. Base camp was at Martell’s Flat. HISTORYHISTORY OF SIERRA TREKContinued on page 28Don Klusman (left) and Ray DeLong (right) saw some logs in 1992. Harry Baker is ofﬁciating.Continued from page 26sierra trek program 06.indd 27 7/11/06 10:46:44 AM

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28Sierra Trek / 1966-2006In 1969, Sierra Trek was held at Grouse Ridge, with a super 4WD loop route extending from Sand Ridge to Lakes Penner, Rock, Lindsay, Carr, Feeley, Island and Milk, then back to Downey Lake Meadow.In 1970 Sierra Trek was based at Church Meadows and the run starting in Gold Valley via Little Deer, Snake, and Hawley lakes and “A” Tree.In 1971 the North District delegates voted to make the Fordyce Creek Trail the permanent ofﬁcial Sierra Trek 4WD Trail. The Fordyce Creek Trail crosses the Tahoe National Forest (40 percent) and the remainder is private lands, Paciﬁc Gas and Electric and a few acres of patented mining properties. Fordyce Creek is actually the north fork of the south fork of the Yuba River. The stream would normally dry up in the summer. But for the fact of Fordyce Lake, Meadow Lake HISTORYHISTORY OF SIERRA TREKContinued from page 27Continued on page 29It looked a little chilly at the rafﬂe in 1994.sierra trek program 06.indd 28 7/11/06 10:46:46 AM

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29Sierra Trek / 1966-2006and White Rock Lake now dam the creek and the water releases are controlled. They are now controlled to produce hydroelectric power on Lake Sterling. The original intent of damming this stream was for mining during the gold rush so area mines could be worked.Fordyce was the name of a man who lived during the gold rush era. It was reported that he was a builder of water ﬂumes for mining purposes and he maintained a livestock pasture and ranch where Fordyce Lake is today.The entire Sierra Trek course is in Nevada County and terminates at the Gleason property at Meadow Lake. The North District leases the land from Mr. Gleason and partners. Participants need to show their appreciation to all the aforementioned ﬁrms and individuals for their generous cooperation.The ﬁrst money-making rafﬂe was put on by Herman Rinkle of the Sierra Treasure Hunters in 1974. It was also that year that the largest amount of vehicles went over the trail in a single day. A record number of 226 vehicles went over the short wheelbase trail on that Saturday. Many of those rigs got into camp late, some never made it, and a few broke down and had to be towed out. The previous year 200 vehicles made the trip and all returned to base camp by dark.In 1975 (my ﬁrst year on Sierra Trek) the Cook and Camp Committees used the shortcut to get from Fordyce Lake to base camp at Meadow Lake. This ended the practice of putting the food and camp committee on the full short wheelbase trip ahead of everyone else. It also ended the tradition of putting ﬁrst time or new vehicles out in front of the group. This was in the hopes of avoiding the long waits at the winch hills.A Saturday long wheelbase run was added. Many different trails have been used over the years but in 1981 the Bear Valley Loop Trails was introduced. This trail has been used ever since.The Dirty Dozen Jeep Club introduced the famous “Shackle Grabber” drink and container in the year of our country’s bicentennial (1976) named for an obstacle boulder that used to try men’s souls on Winch Hill #3. This boulder was removed in later years. This started the idea of special drinks at the bar. It was also in 1976 that live music was ﬁrst introduced. Prior to that time, the Dirty Dozen Jeep Club HISTORYHISTORY OF SIERRA TREKContinued from page 28Continued on page 30sierra trek program 06.indd 29 7/11/06 10:46:46 AM

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30Sierra Trek / 1966-2006brought a jukebox for music.In 1979 the bar went from just beer and wine to a full service bar. In 1984 the bar went from six feet to twenty-four feet to accommodate the increased number of people frequenting the bar.In 1980 Star Trek was born. Star Trek is a night run over the Fordyce Trail. Because there are no spotters or manpower at the Winch Hills, participants must be self-reliant and have driven at least two previous short wheelbase runs on the trail to be eligible. In 1982 Sierra Trek is expanded to two short wheel base runs with one being on Friday and one on Saturday. It was now a three-day event.In 1986 a special Thursday run was offered as United Four Wheel Drive Association was holding their convention in the area. It was a huge hit. In 1987 the committee voted to keep holding the Thursday short wheelbase run. It has been sold out every year since. Many people like to go on this run and then spend the rest of the weekend enjoying the area.The ﬁrst vehicle show was held at Meadow Lake base camp in 1987. In 1989 a snack bar was added and has grown over the years.Mr. Gleason gave us permission in 1991, in preparation for the 25th annual Sierra Trek, to pour a concrete dance ﬂoor. Prior to this, each year a dance ﬂoor was built out of 2x4’s and plywood to be taken apart after the event. The concrete dance ﬂoor has 36” footings and is over 24” thick. It took six cement trucks coming out of Truckee to bring in the mix dry HISTORYHISTORY OF SIERRA TREKContinued from page 29Continued on page 31The big girls (Jo Bahm and Pam Allison) liked Smokey just as much as the kids. This photo was taken in 1992. sierra trek program 06.indd 30 7/11/06 10:46:47 AM

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31Sierra Trek / 1966-2006HISTORYand then mixed on site. Volunteers spent all day working on the dance ﬂoor, many of them from the Sacramento Jeepers and Rough and Ready Jeep Club.Also in 1991 was the ﬁrst year that a vendor show was started. This gave the vendors a chance to not only show, but demonstrate their products. Over the years, we have had four-wheel drive parts, tires, wheels, jewelry, shirts, games, books, ice cream, espresso, even a masseuse to help with tired bones after a day on the trail. Associate members have gotten involved as well. Art Archer of Archer Brothers was the ﬁrst and oldest North District Associate Member who has donated parts, 4WD tow truck services and much more. B F. Goodrich has donated tires to Sierra Trek for many years and have had booths in the vendor show every year since it was started. Many other vendors have been a huge part of making Sierra Trek a hit. Thanks to all of them! The ﬁrst historical program was in 1991. Ed Dunkley give a wonderful talk on the history of the area, along with answering questions about the area and how this trail was found.In 1992 Mr. Gleason agreed to give permission to drill a water well on his property for use for Sierra Trek. After three dry holes, water was hit. This is the same well we use today. This was also the year that the Sierra Treasure Hunters introduced hot showers. They were a huge success. The Sierra Treasure Hunters have worked and chaired this committee since. They have increased the number of showers along with longer hours of being open.A Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) run was added in 1996 by Jim Bramham that takes people on a trip to see many of the points of interest around the Meadow Lake area. It has been a great success with more and more people signing up each year.In 1998 Mother Nature decided to have a late winter and a cooler than normal spring and summer. For the most part you are able to get into Meadow Lake in mid- to late-July. In 1998 the snow had not cleared the road by the ﬁrst of August. After talking with the Forest Service, Nevada County and Mr. Gleason, it was decided to plow the road and postpone Sierra Trek two weeks. When we plowed the road, there was over eight feet of snow still on the road in spots. When we arrived at Meadow Lake there were places with four feet or more of snow still in the meadow area. Two weeks later, Continued from page 30HISTORY OF SIERRA TREKsierra trek program 06.indd 31 7/11/06 10:46:48 AM

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32Sierra Trek / 1966-2006HISTORYSierra Trek was held on August 27-30. Even at this late date there were patches of snow still at Meadow Lake. People did not have to worry about ice for their food, as all they had to do was ﬁnd a snow bank and ﬁll up the ice chest.We have had everything from 90-degree weather to having it snow on the rafﬂe on Sunday. We have had huge thunder-storms dump vast amounts of rain, freezing at night to hot days. You never know what to expect at Meadow Lake.Sierra Trek has grown from 3 committees and three clubs to 40-plus com–mittees and over 600 individuals who volunteer their time and efforts for this event. Sierra Trek started serving one meal — a Sat-urday night dinner. Today we serve eight meals in base camp and trail breakfast all three days along with a trail snack for everyone on the runs. The Sierra Trek committees have consistently strived to provide the highest quality and most enjoyable event for participants, with each event becoming better and better every year.The winch hill committees are no exception. Every year they come up with new and creative ideas to make things interesting for those who have to wait on the trail. One year “Beer Bandits” staged hold-ups on the trail demanding a beer. All of the beer collected was donated to the rafﬂe to be given away as one prize. Talk about a huge prize and different brands. A “Smash Unit 4077” at Winch Hill 4 gave everyone who came by a bag of candy and a band-aid. One committee even gave participants scores by a panel of people on how they did on the hill (7.0 etc.). We have had professional photographers taken photographs HISTORY OF SIERRA TREKContinued from page 31Continued on page 33Winch Hill #5 in 1989.sierra trek program 06.indd 32 7/11/06 10:46:50 AM

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33Sierra Trek / 1966-2006HISTORYof each vehicle and had poster size photos for sale at base camp.The rafﬂe has expanded over the years as well. Just some of the donated items over the years have been winches (ﬁve in one year), tires, raft trips, dinners, hotel stays, gift certiﬁcates to the Mustang Ranch (not a horse ranch), cases of wine, case of Jack Daniels, a cruise on Ms. Dixie on Lake Tahoe, free hotel stays in Lake Tahoe and Reno and much more. In 1988 the Rafﬂe Committee had made up special shirts for their committee. After many people asked how they could get one it was decided to auction off one of these shirts. It was decided to auction one off of a female committee member on stage. This was a huge moneymaker. Bidders kept raising the bid as the female agreed to take off the shirt on stage (little did they know she had a bikini top on under the shirt). Kids as well as adults have games to play all weekend. Some of the kids’ games over the years have been jump rope, coloring contests, craft making, musical chairs, Simon Says, and a contest to see who can collect the most aluminum cans over the weekend. As for the adult games along with the traditional horseshoes, arm wrestling, others that have been done over the years are two-man buck sawing, tire changing, volleyball, badminton, and tug a war. As for the food, it takes over 19,000 pounds of food to feed everyone over the weekend. Just some of the items needed is 700-plus cartons of chocolate milk, 2,650 cartons of milk, 32 gallons of salad dressing, 780 pounds of pot roast, 90 pounds of sausage patties, 6,500 paper plates, 70-plus gallons of coffee, 720 pounds of tri-tip, 192 pounds of cheesecake, and over 450 trash bags. It takes over 150 people to ﬁx and serve the meals. We use about 900-plus gallons of propane along with hundreds of gallons of water. Remember, this is all done in the middle of nowhere. All of the supplies, food, drink, medical and ﬁrst aid equipment, tools, tents, sanitary facilities, electricity from generators, tables, chairs, and much more are brought in and manned by volunteers. SYSCO Foods brings in two 27-foot trailers of food into base camp. We also have two 40-foot ﬂatbeds, an 18-foot box trailer, a 20-foot grill trailer, a 16-foot BBQ trailer, a 26-foot box truck full of tables and chairs, along with several pickup loads of equipment and supplies. HISTORY OF SIERRA TREKContinued from page 32Continued on page 34sierra trek program 06.indd 33 7/11/06 10:46:51 AM

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34Sierra Trek / 1966-2006HISTORYHISTORY OF SIERRA TREKThere also has to be a huge number of Port-A-Potties, and two or more 40-yard dumpsters for garbage.Over the years we have gone from a handshake and a one-page permit to letters needed to have a bar, campﬁre, and use of the land from the private property owners and over 40 pages for the permit from the Forest Service. Five years ago we were required to have an Environmental Assessment (EA) done on our event to assure we could get a permit. The U.S. Forest Service has given us a ﬁve-year permit for this event. This was a ﬁrst for this type of event. We still need a Operation Plan done each year, along with getting a campﬁre permit for the main ﬁre and a welding permit for the trail (this has been trying at times with ﬁre restrictions and dry conditions). We also must work with Paciﬁc Gas and Electric not only to get the water ﬂow lowered during the event but they are also in charge of the campground at Meadow Lake and have property that the trail crosses. Working with all of our partners to make this event happen is a pleasure. Mr. Gleason, U.S. Forest Service, PG&E, Nevada County, and other private property owners have worked with us for 40 years and we are looking forward to working with them in the future. I want to give a special thinks to the late Ed Dunkley for much of the historical information that he shared with me over the years. We are still wheelin’ on the 40th Sierra Trek Ed!Continued from page 33Winch Hill #5 in 1987.sierra trek program 06.indd 34 7/11/06 10:46:52 AM

Sierra Trek Event Program - 2006

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