'97 Winter Meeting SWFWDA 4WD Trails Las Cruces, New Mexico February 20-23, 1997

Base Camp
by The Flatlander

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Leaving the cold Nebraska winter to experience the SWFWDA's hospitality in the southern New Mexico warmth was especially refreshing after driving through snow storms in two states to get there. The shirt sleeve weather and warm welcomes from friendly four wheelers were very welcome.

Headquarters and camping was again at Leasburg State Park just off I-25 around 15 miles north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mark Werkmeister (President of the SWFWDA this year and frequent contributing editor to 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine) and his crew were on hand to make the technical inspections for vehicles wishing to do the 'Big Dog' runs, Broad Canyon, The Guardian and Wolf Run. Two solid lockers and at least 33's are required this year for The Guardian, one solid locker or two limited slips and 33s for Wolf Run and at least a clutch locker and 31s for Broad Canyon. Mark and his crew were serious about the tech inspection, even Frank Currie drove up his built YJ to prove the Detroits in his twin Currie 9" Ford axles still worked.

Paul "Fuzzy" Winters of Sagebrush Enterprises had his custom tent trailer (complete with running water) set up and was preparing his supper of dull green wrapped MRE's (military Meals Ready to Eat) when I arrived. Fuzzy was displaying a Dunlop Tire Banner and was anxious to try out a brand new set of Dunlop 35s on New Mexico's toughest trails. Earl Rahder and others from Fuzzy's club, the Victor Valley 4-Wheelers (The California Club responsible for SledgeHammer and other incredibly challenging trails) were also camped in the area.

Anticipation was running high as 4-wheeling tales were shared around the campfire. 4X4NOW's trail schedule is as follows:

Thursday Feb 20th - Broad Canyon
Friday Feb 21st - Wolf's Run
Saturday Feb 22nd - The Guardian

Reports on each trail with pictures and video will be posted each evening after getting in off the trail.

Base Camp | Broad Canyon | Wolf's Run | The Guardian

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