The 30th Annual Sierra Trek

August 10-11, 1996

by Randy Pope

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It's HOT! That's what we thought as we drove towards the 30th Annual Sierra Trek, put on by the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC) Northern District. It was reported to be 103º according to the radio weather man. But you know cruising on the baking blacktop of interstate highway in an open top Jeep always makes it feel MUCH hotter than it is... and it was! However, we were praying that it was only 103º when we were driving home on that same stretch of roadway... 113 DEGREES!! Sickening hot. Disgusting hot.... "When will it be over?" HOT... But it was all worth it for what was in between - The Sierra Trek!

We arrived in the Truckee, California area the afternoon of Friday the 9th, greeted by the much cooler and welcome alpine air. We drove into Cisco Grove, just a mile or two on I-80 past the Eagles Lake exit you take for the trail head. We fueled the Jeep at the service station, and our stomachs at the cute little restaurant. For what I could see, they were the only two things in Cisco Grove!

Learning from the previous years mistake, we camped near the trailhead - NOT the base camp at Meadow Lake! Last year we had to wake up at 4:30AM and drive for what seemed FOREVER in the freezing pre-dawn air... It took us until noon to defrost! This year we slept until 15 minutes before our safety inspection time, then drove about 100 yards... The much preferred method!

After the safety inspection we munched on the provided breakfast pastries, and beverage until the drivers meeting. Your usual stuff... Then we hit the trail! The winter this year was much milder than last, and the weather much hotter. Last year, the snow had barely melted enough to take the trail- this year there was barely a trace to be seen ANYWHERE! The trail starts out mellow as it meanders through the woods until it connects with the Fordyce Creek Trail.

The view from the top of the first boulder field

On the right side you can see trail mileage markers which coincide with the trail literature and help you locate interesting landmarks and the history of the trail.

A few short obstacles break up the mostly easy trail until you reach the downhill approach to the first water crossing at about the 3 mile mark. This downhill section is composed strictly of boulders, varying in size for medium to HUGE. It was easy to drop a wheel into a hole, and not come out! The Fordyce Creek Trail has been related to the Rubicon in difficulty. Both trails travel over granite and boulders. The difference is, on the Fordyce the boulders MOVE!

The first water crossing, at LOW water

The trail crosses the Fordyce Creek four times. The runoff from Fordyce Lake is controlled by a PG&E hydroelectric dam. CA4WDC has an agreement with PG&E to shut down the water flows to the lowest level "fish flow" during the Sierra Trek. During higher flows Jeeps have been picked up and swept away! Just after the first water crossing is a sandy campsite with a calm pool for swimming or fishing.

I almost didn't want to leave

Climbing away from the river the trail nears the old townsite of Carlisle. Early day miner's claim heavy mining equipment was brought in by oxen and sleds over the snow. We know cars came to Carlisle as there was a 1925 Studebaker in camp at one time. The General Grant Mine is located up on the face of Old Man Mountain and you can still see the mine tailings and holes where ore cars once brought gold ore by cable to Carlisle. A huge cast-iron flywheel lies in the brush. Phoenix Lake is located at the opposite side of Old Man Mountain and still has a large metal steam boiler and collapsed mining cabins at the lake's edge.

Looking down from the top of Winch Hill #1 If you have high enough resolution you can see the LITTLE Jeeps below waiting for their turn.

After leaving the Carlisle area you come to Winch Hill #1. The Fordyce Creek Trail has five extremely difficult sections, aptly named Winch Hills! Each one is adopted by a club who is responsible for guiding drivers up, and giving a helping winch cable if necessary. If you want to take them on yourself, turn on your headlights- you will be given no advice. However, you only get two attempts before you get the 'hook'!

We got an mandatory rest break at the base of Winch Hill #1 as one CJ got half way up, and died. Unfortunately his alternator, and battery were also dead.

Reminds me of Jurassic Park

A nice break from the unprotected granite we'd been wheeling on is the wooded and shady forested area we passed through next. After the first winch hill you cross the creek for the second time.

An unknown Willys crosses the Fordyce Creek

At the base of the second winch hill the owner of a black and white COW JEEP stopped me and asked for help. Seems he ripped the front spring mount off of his rear spring somehow. We pulled off the trail, and positioned our Jeeps head to head. Strapping his CJ to a tree, we hooked my winch to his axle to pull it forward- back into it's correct position. After some hammering and jacking the spring hanger into position we found a professional welder (much better than my backyard welds!) who re-anchored the spring mount. Then we were back on the road! (I mean trail)

On to the third water crossing, and the fourth! At this point you have the option of the "shortcut." There is an "improved" 4WD road from here over the Fordyce Summit to Cisco Grove. Although the climb from the river to Fordyce Lake Road can be troublesome, many of the severely damaged rigs can "bail-out" this way. Also help and spare parts can come in the same way. In this same area is the Squeeze Rock... Careful now! Lots of paint on those rocks....

Winch Hill #3 is a 100 yard rocky crevice that was hand filled with rocks for 4-wheelers benefit. You climb straight up, with a 'S' curve right into the mother of all squeezes! Here you might encounter sightseers who hiked down from camp to cheer or jeer at the participants attempting this particularly ominous grade. However, by the time we made it there, it was almost dark, and most people were back at camp.

The picture never makes it look as tough as it was

Winch Hill #4 goes between a tree and a granite cliff. The Meadow Lake Mine was here, and some rusted equipment was left behind.

Winch Hill #5 is a big crowd draw. You must make a hard left turn up over big rock, then a hard right and another hard left up a big granite step. We had a Jeep roll here, just after we passed. Picking the proper line is crucial! Once past here you've made it!

Driving to the Meadow Lake campgrounds you pass the old Excelsior Mine, call the Glory Hole. Basically just that, a big hole in the ground! Also you can see an abandoned mining cabin. Above the trail to the right is a 4X4 obstacle course, which if you get out and explore around you can find a lot more interesting mining artifacts!

Then into camp. We made it barely in time for the showers, which were slightly luke warm, but felt OH SO GOOD! Then onto the dinner. All you could eat steak dinner, and desert if you still had room! The Sierra Trek meal committees never let anyone go hungry! As we were eating dinner they lit the huge bonfire and people gathered around... Then the band started to play and the party REALLY got rolling!

In base camp dozens of product manufacturers and retailers set up display booths, many with discounted prices for the Sierra Trek only. You could spend a whole day just walking from booth to booth, talking with the various experts in their fields. Careful with the checkbook and credit cards here- it's financially dangerous! I reserved myself to just "planning" ... but oh what plans I have now!

Also in camp are family games to occupy the kids. I was surprised at how many moms, dads, and youngsters were in attendance. They had games and events set up to occupy the kids. It was a really nice family atmosphere... At least until after 10pm, when they warned you to have your kids in bed. Then it was time for the adults to play!

The last day of the Trek is the auction day. For $1 a ticket you have a chance to win several different sets of tires, winches, high-lift jacks, pull-pals, parts, and accessories. And for the $100 club, a special drawing for a set of BFG tires. Everyone in camp was gathered around the stage for the auction - You must be present to win. If, after the winning ticket number was read, no winner surfaced - the crowd would begin to chant "burn it...burn it...burn it" and the auctioneer would draw another ticket.

I definitely recommend the Sierra Trek to anyone with a trail worthy rig! A definite MUST DO experience! Take a couple extra days off work and spend a few days in camp. Take the time to check out all the booths. Hike down to the different winch hills and enjoy watching the others struggle with the obstacles you conquered the day before! I'm definitely going to be there next year!

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