SUV Run
By: Kammy Caruss Burleson
2/2000
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| The SUVs, lined up and ready to go. |
This year's Winter Fun Fest SUV runs, put on by the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, were as popular as ever. More and more people seem to be clueing into the appeal of these well organized adventures, which travel around Nevada County in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Not only are they a good way for less-experienced SUV drivers to gain confidence on backcountry roads, but they are fun and informative for all levels of four-wheelers as well. Nearly thirty vehicles participated in the SUV Run led by Jim Bramham and similar numbers were found on the Historical Run led by Ed Dunkley. Although these are billed as the "easy" runs of Winter Fun Fest, you couldn't help noticing some beefy looking rigs joining the more stock sport utility vehicles for the experience.
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| Echos of the 1849 Gold Rush in the old Grass valley Cementary |
Jim Bramham, a native of the Grass Valley area, gathered the participants of the SUV Run around 9 a.m. the morning of January 15th for the driver's meeting and an overview of the trip, which covered about 75 miles and returned them to the Nevada County Fairgrounds at around 5:30 p.m. There were many different vehicle models prepped for the run, including Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee, Chevy & Ford pickups, Subaru Outback, Mitsubishi Montero, Ford Expedition, Toyota 4Runner, Isuzu Rodeo, Nissan Pathfinder and even a brand new Nissan Xterra. The diverse caravan of trucks started off to its first stop- just past the Grass Valley Cemetery. Jim, whose grandparents and great grandparents were involved with mining in the area themselves, gave further information on the history of Grass Valley and its roots in the mining industry, as well as the Narrow Gauge Railroad depot which contributed to its growth.
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| The Red Dog Road River Crossing |
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| The "You Bet" Overlook |
Next, the group took a quick swing to the Empire Mine State Historic Park, home to the oldest and most profitable hardrock gold mine in California. This was followed by a short pit-stop before leaving civilization for the Sierra backcountry roads. Soon, four wheel drive would be engaged by many to drive Red Dog Cross road to its river crossing, the same location used for the River Bottom Games that occur on the final day of Winter Fun Fest. Their next stop is You Bet Overlook where the participants saw beautiful scenery while they dodged the rain during Jim's commentary. Fortunately, umbrellas were passed out to the appreciative crowd, until they retreated back to their vehicles. They continued to drive up Washington Ridge on the muddy, rutty road and on to the old mining town of Washington.
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| The historic Washington Hotel |
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There, they were treated to a hot lunch at the Washington Hotel, where they were also given a lesson in the town's colorful background by it's town historian. After lunch and some town exploration, including some breathtaking views of the south fork of the Yuba River, the contingent continued on to Gaston Grade where the road became even more slippery with mud on its slopes. After another river crossing, this one swollen with the new rain, the Bramham party had its first taste of a little snow while heading up Graniteville Road to Relief ill. The road continued on to North Bloomfield, a small community inside Malakoff Diggins State Park. The Diggins was California's largest "hydraulic" mine which used a water cannon called a Penstock to shoot water out with such force that it washed away entire mountains of dirt in order for the miners to find the precious gold. The Fun Fest visitors could see the results in the form of huge cliffs and ravines from the overlooks of the park.
The troop returned to their vehicles one last time to complete the trip out of the backcountry and back to the fairgrounds where a warm & hearty dinner was waiting for the them. This was a trip many of them would vow to take again and many more would never forget.
For more photos, check the SUV Scenic Gallery.
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| The south fork of the Yuba River |
A rain swollen river crossing challenges the SUVs |
The old North Bloomfield School |
Just a couple years of Hydraulic Mining carved these cliffs out of the mountains. |
| More Information: |
Acknowledgements: |
- See more scenic photos and travel information in the Destinations pages.
- See the Winter Fun Fest discussion in the
4x4 Trails Forum in TrailTalk
- If you own a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and are interested in future Cal4Wheel-sponsored runs, please check their calendar of events at www.cal4wheel.com.
Related Information
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- Special thanks to John & Benjamin Contos, and Jack Raudy for graciously hosting the author as passenger.
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