Summer is one the best times and the High Sierras is one the best places to go ’wheeling, and that’s exactly what Sierra Trek is all about. The California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs hosted its 33rd Annual Sierra Trek last August at Meadow Lake, just north of Truckee, California.
Open to members of the Association, this event is the largest all-volunteer four-wheel-drive gathering in the nation. With a total of eight runs conducted during the four-day extravaganza, you can bet these volunteers have their work cut out for them. Though any vehicle can participate, the short-wheelbase runs are ideal for Jeeps, and they dominate the scene.
The main trail is the Fordyce Creek trail, which winds more than 14 miles through the rocky Sierras just north of the infamous Donner Pass. This run is limited to short-wheelbase vehicles, due to the roughness of the trail, and having large tires and lockers is a definite plus. After winding through the boulders in the forest, the trail crosses Fordyce Creek and continues through five winch hills, so named because they’re manned by volunteers with winches. These hills are rough and rocky, and many drivers happily succumb to the hook to prevent breakage to their rides. With up to 120 vehicles starting at 6 a.m., the tail end of the group sometimes rolls into the Meadow Lake base camp way past dark. Breakdowns are common on the trail, and broken rides must be moved off the trail before the repairs begin. One ’wheeler broke a transfer case early in the trip and hiked the 10 miles to camp to borrow a transfer case from a buddy’s’ rig.
If you’re ready for some of the finest ’wheeling that can be had, contact the Association now, since slots for the trips are filling up as you read this. Whether you have a short- or long-wheelbase Jeep or just want to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the SUV run, Sierra Trek is sure to please. For more information, contact the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs at 800/4x4-FUNN or on the Web at www.cal4wheel.com.