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| Meadow Lake, California | Short Cuts | ||||
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By: Kimber Rau
Meadow Lake, California- Sierra Trek
- In the picturesque Sierra Mountain Range of Northern California the forces of nature carved out a well disguised trail. Several years ago, man found the not-so-easily-discernable path and set forth a trail that would become known as
the Fordyce Creek Trail. The Fordyce Creek Trail, which is the premier
trail for Sierra Trek, is a combination of lush forests and steep boulder strewn
climbs. Mix in the occasional creek crossing and winch hill (there are 5
of them, and even some "in between" winch hills), and you've got the
ingredients for an awesome trail.
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| Grocery Gett'n It! |
Many attendees have felt that the event has lost its luster over the last year or two. The fun and games have been reduced or eliminated and vendors have been in short supply at the trade show. But no matter what may have become of the extracurricular events, the fact still remains that Sierra Trek was founded around ONE trail. The first “trekkers” came for the wheelin’. It’s time to come for the trail and stay for the party, as they did in the beginning. It's time we brought that mentality back. Attendees have never been disappointed by the trail as it offers some pretty intense obstacles that challenge most well built rigs.
Each year the ravages of nature twist and tweak the rocks, roots, and ruts just enough to serve up an all new trail. Some have forgotten the real reason Sierra Trek “is.” Many have been coming for the "party" and overlooking the stunning scenery this trail has to offer. There are crystal clear lily pad filled ponds, water falls that roar out a soothing thrum, granite that only time and heavy snow pack has shaped, old mining shafts and relic equipment left from those who struggled to harvest the natural resources from their unforgiving nest.
As for the Short Wheel Base Trail itself, there are 5 obstacles, affectionately named Winch Hills, that are staffed by volunteer crews to help get driver and rig over these particularly tough spots. Here there is always a ready winch on hand for an extra pull to get you up and over. For those who aren't of the short wheel base variety, there are three SUV trips that meander casually through the area's memorable scenery. These runs are guided by the ever knowledgeable, Jim Bramham and Warner Anderson, who will clue you in on the historical lore of the region. The SUV runs are becoming a favorite of newcomers as well as repeat trekkers. For those that want something more than the SUV run yet not as challenging as the short wheelbase run, there's the intermediate Bear Valley run.
Side trails that take you to an old cemetery where several past residents of the abandoned mining town of Summit City are laid to rest. Yet another side excursion path takes you to an old cabin that once stood proud and stubborn next to a little pond and housed an equally stubborn man who loved his mountain home ‘till his own death separated him from the tiny abode. If you stop and throw bread crumbs into this quaint pond, you will be treated to a catfish feeding frenzy rarely experienced outside of a hatchery environment. Many times I have hiked from the main camp to any one of the smaller lakes and ponds that can be found a mile or more from main camp.
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| Sierra Trek offers some of the most outstanding scenery in the State. | |||
As a long time participant of Sierra Trek, I have seen the event grow from a small handful of folks escaping the hustle and bustle of suburbia for a mountainous stress-relieving weekend retreat, into a raucous crowd of city slickers out to blow off the stresses of society. I’ve watched it grow and become an amazingly fun event that sold out early and then saw it dwindle to a moderately attended shin dig. I’ve participated and worked to put it on in many aspects. I have never NOT had fun. True, the last few years have seen the event loose some of its luster. That is due in large part to a shortage of volunteers.
Yup, burnout happens to the best of events, and Trek is no different. But a small handful of dedicated people have been working hard to bring it back to what it once was. It looks as if this is the year that Sierra Trek will be reorganized into an event that will offer something for everyone young and old alike, both on and off the trail. There have been many newcomers who have stepped up to buff off the tarnish of the last couple years and the old shine is starting to show through.
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| From the Short wheelbase run to the SUV run, Trek has something for just about everyone. | |||
This year, planners of camp activities are bringing back some old favorites, including the Jay Rollers, voted Sacramento's #1 Party Band, and also the vehicle show. In addition, some new activities have been added, including a climbing wall to while away the hours spent in main camp. The kids will have plenty of games to keep them busy when they aren’t attempting the climbing wall and the adults will have a few more games to entertain their mighty egos. I, for one, am looking forward to this year more than I have in a long time.
For more information on attending Sierra Trek this year, please visit the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs website.
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