Event Coverage: 2001 East Coast 4Runner Jamboree

Event Coverage:
2001 East Coast 4Runner Jamboree

Http://www.4x4Wire.com/toyota/events/ec4rj/

Short Cuts

By: Joe Micciche, June 2001.

The first ever East Coast 4Runner Jamboree was quite a success!

How did it come together?

The East Coast 4Runner Jamboree (EC4RJ) evolved from a discussion on the 4x4Wire Toyota SUV TrailTalk board. During the winter of '00/'01, people began kicking around the idea of an east coast gathering specifically for 4Runner owners, which was a group largely ignored by other organized events. The idea born, planning began in earnest with several locations tossed around until the George Washington National Forest - Dry River District outside of Harrisonburg, Virginia was identified as the most suitable. An event headquarters was identified and reservations made, then all of the preparation and anticipation began and interest continued to grow.

The event was opened to all Toyota 4WD's and suddenly, more than 40 people had committed to attend. This number of vehicles exceeded expectations, but fortunately the event organizers were able to accomodate such a large group, and the diverse turnout was a pleasant surprise.

Then on Friday, June 8, 2001, attendees began streaming into the event HQ outside of Harrisonburg. Seaboard states from Massachusetts to Georgia and into the midwest were all represented, and most Toyota 4WD's were present: FJ40 and 80 series Cruisers, mini pickups from all years, and of course the omnipresent 4Runner. The 4Runner contingent really turned out en masse, with vehicles ranging from a completely stock 2001 to highly modified 1st generation 4Runners, all ready for a weekend of wheeling and camaraderie.

The Trails

On Friday afternoon, some of the early arrivals set out for a short ride on one of the loop trails south of Route 33. This loop trail started with a lengthy river crossing, then turned into deep woods and followed a muddy track through the trees. Several mudholes were negotiated, along with an offcamber turn between trees, before the final river crossing. Due to the recent rains, the water was running deep, but everyone negotiated the crossing without issue, and about 90 minutes after starting the group was heading back.


Negotiating the trees and the last river crossing on the loop trail.

The first group out returned to the HQ and awaited the arrival of others. Everyone had time to make introductions and check out the other rigs, get (or make) dinner, and wait for the evening ride. The night ride was spontaneously decided based on weather: clear skies would allow for a stargazing trip up a mountain, or clouds would have the group running one of the loops. Around 9:30PM, the skies were perfectly clear, so Brian Davis took the group out to Reddish Knob.

Reddish Knob is southwest of Harrisonburg, and is one of the highest peaks in the area. Cresting at over 4,200 ft., the bald mountaintop offered unobstructed views in all directions, and a completely clear view of the stars without any city lights. It also happened to be chillingly cold, which hastened the group's descent. The ride up to Reddish Knob is a rather easy one with no real challenges, so the group made good time and arrived back at camp with time to socialize.


Plunging into the mud atop Second Mountain.

Early Saturday morning, everyone gathered at the HQ for a quick driver's meeting and to divide up into groups. The three groups all planned on running the same trails during the day, so one group was dispatched to the loop trails, another to the main series of trails, and the third group waited to head out to the main trails. With over 40 vehicles going riding, the groups minimized trail traffic, and allowed each individual group time enough to tackle optional obstacles and help one another, while still maintaining a decent pace.

The main series of trails included Second Mountain, Gauley Ridge, and Old Long Run Road. Second Mountain is a modest climb off Route 33 which offers small rocks, rocky gardens, small ledges, and several mudholes. Once atop Second Mountain, the groups all took time to play on the optional powerline trail. This trail presents a steep ascent/descent with some angles approaching 30 degrees, but has a number of 2 to 4 ft. dirt berms across the trail to make it even more interesting. On several berms vehicles point straight at the sky, which makes negotiating the berms a slow and careful process so the truck approaches centered to minimize the risk of rolling off one. At the top of the powerlines, the last climb is enhanced with loose rock and dirt, but everyone made it with the exception of one 4Runner which didn't have operable 4WD. After working the powerlines, adrenaline is usually flowing in abundance, and this day was no exception! This entire leg of the trail offers several spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley and other valleys tucked within the rugged mountain range, and we had the good fortune to wheel on a perfectly clear 80-degree day - which added to the vivid colors and scenes all around the Valley.


Working along the powerline trail.

After discussing the noise and vibration from the high-tension lines (the electrical drain is enough to light a flourescent light!), the groups each worked farther along Second Mountain to the ATV Staging area, and on to Gauley Ridge. Gauley is one descent down the mountain, but actually just a short distance on Gauley is the turnoff for Old Long Run Road. This is hardly a road, as the trail enters a densely forested, tight trail that was like a rainforest on this spring day. While descending, an initial rocky creek crossing foreshadows the remainder of Old Long Run, as it snakes it's way through the sun-blocking canopy. The trail offers numerous small rocks, exposed tree roots for the duration, and at least a half-dozen additional crossings. The creek was shallow and very rocky, and the wet tires made the climbs up the banks challenging at times as several trucks spun for traction. This entire section of trail requires low range/1st gear, and is an enjoyable ride for stockers and experienced drivers alike.

The Second Mountain trails combined with the loop took each group over 6 hours to complete, and after doing so most everyone headed back to HQ for dinner and an evening of socializing. While there were no planned activities, the informal nature of the gathering and the close proximity at the campground seemed to foster relaxing and festive options, depending on preference. Saturday evening epitomized the essence of the gathering, as people who had mostly never met prior to Friday seemed to carry on like old friends. Everyone had the chance to talk Toyota, check out the amazingly diverse group of trucks, embellish the day's activities, and either sit around the fire rekindling old friendships or developing new ones.


Action along Dictum Ridge.

Sunday morning came and unfortunately several people had to leave for their long journeys home. However, a group gathered and headed out to Dictum Ridge, which is also north off Route 33 past Second Mountain. Dictum Ridge is considered a challenging trail, and it lived up to it's reputation to the group who descended. Ascending the trail requires a well-prepared and modified rig, since there are numerous large rocks and ledges to traverse. Even going down, some rock-stacking was needed to ease the drops off the ledges, and careful spotting and very attentive driving helped keep the pucker manageable in offcamber maneuvers over the rocks. Incredibly, everyone made it without any damage (but with some new chassis scars) - including near-stock 3rd-generation 4Runners to the highly modified minis and older 4Runners.

EC4RJ will now be an annual event!

Based on the overwhelmingly positive response from everyone who participated, there's no doubt the EC4RJ will become an annual tradition for East Coast Toyota 4WD owners. This year's event was very informal with minimal planning, but the entire weekend worked out extremely well and actually generated interest in additional East Coast events, such as a fall gathering. Toyota owners can expect a bigger and better EC4RJ for 2002!

Of course, it's the people who attend the events that determine it's success. On this early June weekend, more than 40 Toyota owners - many whom were total strangers prior to the gathering - and their families and friends ensured the success of the event due to their friendly and welcoming personalities, and their eagerness to immerse themselves in all things Toyota. And all of them will be looking forward to seeing one another again, and soon.