Category Archives: Activities

Activities, Jeep, Off Roading

Sierra Trek coming up August 8!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Sierra Trek is a terrific event hosted by the California Association of 4WD Clubs, Inc.  It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year, and an event that shouldn’t be missed.  It’s taking place near Truckee in Northern California from August 8th through the 11th at Meadow Lake.

Just running Fordyce Trail with a group that knows what they’re doing is WELL worth the trip!

From the website:

Sierra Trek is the granddaddy of Cal 4 events. It is held in Northern California near Truckee. The event takes participants over the famous Fordyce Trail and the surrounding areas via SUV, ATV, modified 4×4 vehicles and dedicated trail rigs.

We are working hard to introduce new and fun activities for families that we know you will enjoy. You can still run the Fordyce trail with the confidence that the trail staff will make your adventure memorable!

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Activities, National Forests, National Parks

Congressman McClintock Speaks on Yosemite National Park and Against the Mariposa

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

From his address to the U.S. House of Representatives, August 1, 2013:

Mr. Speaker: Yosemite Valley is a national treasure that was set aside in 1864 with the promise it would be preserved for the express purpose of “Public Use, Resort and Recreation.” Ever since, Americans have enjoyed a host of recreational opportunities and amenities as they have come to celebrate the splendor of the Valley. Now, the National Parks Service, at the urging of leftist environmental groups, is proposing eliminating many of those amenities, including bicycle and raft rentals, horseback riding rentals, gift shops, snack facilities, swimming pools, and iconic facilities including the Ice Skating Rink at Curry Village, the art center and historic stone bridges that date back to the 1920’s.

For generations, these facilities have enhanced the enjoyment of the park for millions of visitors, adding a rich variety of recreational activities amidst the breathtaking backdrop of Yosemite. But today, the very nature and purpose of Yosemite is being changed from its original promise of “Public Use, Resort, and Recreation,” to an exclusionary agenda that can best be described as, “Look, but don’t touch.”

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Activities, Geocaching

Geocaching for fun and PRIZES!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Geocaching is introducing Gear Up for Geocaching in a BIG way this August with a pretty terrific contest.  According to Geocaching.com, they’ve put together some excellent prize packages that includes treasure from Greenlayer, Camp Chef and others.

From the announcement:

Each package will include treasure from brands such as Camp Chef, Mountainsmith, Greenlayer, 7eye, MHM, Kor and Skratch Labs. We couldn’t sit out on the fun, though, so we’re also giving free one-year Geocaching Premium Memberships to each winner, to help you find more geocaches than ever. See below for a full breakdown of what you could win!

New to geocaching? No problem! Geocachers of all experience levels are welcome to participate. By filling out this form before the end of August, new and existing Geocaching members in the U.S. are eligible to enter using their Geocaching username. There is only one entry per person, and the deadline to enter is midnight on August 31. Three winners will be drawn and notified in early September. In the meantime, you can share stories or photos of your August finds on Twitter with @GoGeocaching using #GearUp or connect on Facebook. Also, you can participate in the 31 Days of Geocaching: every day you find a geocache in August, you will earn a unique calendar-style Geocaching souvenir.

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Activities, State Parks

CSPF Park Champion volunteer day at Mt. San Jacinto – FREE TRAM & CAMPING!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The California State Parks Foundation is hosting a Park Champion event this August at the top of Mount San Jacinto.

If you’ve got the time, volunteer to help clear the hiking trails of debris left by the recent rainstorms so we can make the the trails more accessible to all!

The event takes place Saturday, August 3, 8:30am to 1:30pm

FREE TRAMWAY TICKETS AND BACKPACK CAMPING on Fri & Sat.

Kids over 10 welcome with a legal guardian.

The California State Parks Foundation’s Park Champions Program hosts volunteer days in state parks throughout California to help make a difference in how our parks are maintained.  From the website:

CSPF’s Park Champions Program holds volunteer work days in state parks across California. This program was created in response to the unprecedented budget cuts and closures that California State Parks face right now. In partnership with California State Parks, Park Champions provide consistent, sustainable volunteer support in the areas of park maintenance and beautification.

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Activities, Adventures, National Forests, National Parks

Proposal to transfer Giant Sequoia Monument

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Suzy Johnson at the California Association of 4WD Clubs has posted an Access Alert related to the National Giant Sequoia Monument, and I’m forwarding the information on along to you guys.  If you’re at all concerned about access to California’s public lands, it’s important that you get involved.

From CA4WDC:

Proposed plan to transfer Giant Sequoia National Monument from the control of the US Forest Service to the National Park Service would result in loss of recreation opportunities

We need all of our members to urgently write a letter to the President, federal and local legislators opposing a proposal being floated to move the management and control of the Giant Sequoia National Monument from the USFS to the National Park Service.

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