Feature > Events/Trail Rides
Winter Fun Fest
Snow Running In The High Sierras
story and photography by Chris Collard
As the seasons change and Old Man Winter graces the mountains with a liberal dose of the fluffy stuff, our thoughts drift towards winterizing our rigs, mud and snow runs, and making sure our heaters work. Yes, even out here in sunny California we get snow. A few years ago we asked you to let us know about killer trail rides and snow runs in your area. In response, many of you have kept us apprised of upcoming events in your area. Last January we received an invitation to the Winter Fun Festival, a three-day extravaganza of snow wheeling in the Northern Sierra Nevada. We didn’t need much of a reason other than the words snow and wheeling, to toss the Gortex and a few sleeping bags in the rig, make sure the heater was working (yes, we like creature comforts), and head for the high country.
You don’t have to have an “extreme” rig to play at the top. Several old Grand Cherokees and a Jeep pickup joined our group mid mountain. Although they couldn’t take the steep loose stuff, they made it to the high elevation lunch spot and back without issue.
As the sun warmed the January air, the snow began to loosen up. Areas exposed were prime for rigs braking through the surface. This FJ-40 went blazing over hill and drift before the surface gave way, and became incased in the frosty stuff.
The Winter Fun Festival, which is sponsored by the California Association of 4WD Clubs, has evolved into an annual winter destination event for hundreds of northern Californians. Located in the Northern California gold country town of Grass Valley, the area is rich in history of the 49’ers and yesteryear. It also boasts some of the last of the hard-rock gold mines in the country. What better reason for a road trip?
Eleven trails are offered ranging from headlight deep snow, where lockers and over-sized tires are prerequisites, to moderate trail rides requiring only the desire to have a great time, ogle at the incredible scenery, and explore vestiges of the past. Winter Fun has also added three narrated historical and SUV runs for those interested in exploring Northern California mining districts and learn of the Gold Country’s colorful history. However, we were looking for snow, and while most wheelers in our neck of the woods are used to fair weather and clear skies, the Grass Valley Four Wheelers, who host the event, embrace winter with a good air pressure gauge, winches, tow straps and cold weather gear.
Winter Fun attracts every type of rig from late model Toyota pickups to classic Jeeps. A good winch and good tires, such as the BFG Mud Terrains and Warn 8274 on this CJ are standard issue in the high country. |
When spending the night means hacking an Igloo out of the snow bank, having the right equipment is critical. Basic items include, a Hi-Lift Jack, a tarp, warm clothing and sleeping bags, water, and an air supply like a Power Tank for reseating a bead or airing up your tires. |
The list of upgrades on John Hargis’ 1994 Chevy K1500, which was one of the only full sized rigs with us, is quite formidable. A 6-inch ProComp suspension lift and 4-inch body lift provides ample clearance for a set of 33-inch BFG Mud Terrains. This heavy hitter sports ARB lockers, 4:56 ring and pinions, a Viair compressor and a 12,000 Mile Marker winch. When the sun goes down, four Pro Comp auxiliary lights and a full complement of survival gear insure successful night runs.
The 6:00 a.m. air had a bite to it and steam swirled from our coffee like that of an Icelandic hot spring in the dead of winter. Two hundred rigs rolled into the Grass Valley fair grounds for registration, staging and tech inspection. A few weeks earlier, the Old Man obliged us with a healthy dusting of snow across the entire Sierra Nevada Mountain range. With hubs locked in and tire pressure below 10 lbs for maximum floatation, we rolled off the pavement under a power line road for the Siberian Express trail. While several trails required lockers and low gears, the Siberian Express allowed moderately equipped rigs with 33-inch tires — having lockers was an added bonus. Our route would to take us well above the snowline to the six thousand foot level. Evening temperatures had left the snow fairly firm, which made for perfect conditions as we followed a track up the mountain. As the sun began to warm things up mid-day, the snow softened and things got slippery and fun. Snow running is a whole different experience in that the lead dog does most of the work breaking trail, while everyone else receives a semi-groomed trail. In a long game of follow the leader, our group of 20 rigs tackled slushy hill climbs and small creek crossings.
Floatation is the trick to wheeling in snow. By lowering your tire pressure to 7-10lbs (depending on the tire and weight of your rig), you increase the tires footprint, thus increasing it’s ability to “float” over the snow.
As the mid-day sun loosens up the snow in open areas, only the guys with lockers and big tires could take on the steep alternate routes. |
The Winter Fun Festival hosts a dozen separate trail rides ranging from narrated SUV and historic trips, to high elevation extreme snow runs. Over 235 rigs rolled out of base camp for the high country. |
The snow depth increased with the elevation and when the previous tracks disappeared, our rigs trail blazing began to get stuck. A few winch cables and straps came out and the progress slowed. Trailing rigs had a much easier time as long as they stayed in the existing tracks. If you didn’t have good tires and got off the track, there was a good chance you would be getting the hook from a buddy. The planned lunch spot was in an open play area. Once the trail crew rounded up the stragglers, we spent the afternoon challenging machine against the elements and soaking up some winter sun.
Rory Huber, of Sacramento, CA, tackles the high country in a vintage Toyota pickup. Sporting a 5-inch Skyjacker suspension, 5:29 diff gears, ARB lockers, and a dual t-case setup, Huber rarely sees the receiving end of a tow strap. At days end, a Viair onboard compressor charges a 7.5 gallon tank used to restoring tire pressure. |
Straight from the showroom and still smelling of fresh paint, Frank Duenas, of Salinas, CA, mounted up a Warn x8000i, a set of MTR’s, and headed for the high country. A factory 4-to-1 transfercase and locking differentials kept the new ’04 Rubicon tracking smoothly all day. |
With hubs locked in and tire pressure below 10 lbs to maximum floatation, we roll off the pavement under a PG&E power line road for the Tundra Express trail.
Off on another mountain, and at an even higher elevation, our photographer at large, Harry Wagner, was on the extreme run in a tangle of clevis hooks, tow straps and winch lines. This is the kind of run where if you don’t have great floatation, lockers and a winch, you may be spending the night. Fortunately, the Winter Fun trail crew is well versed at extricating rigs from the frozen depths, and before they head off the mountain, a headcount is taken to make sure no soles are lost. Carnage for the day was kept to just a few tires pealed off the rim and a couple of bruised egos.
Curious about travel requirements or restrictions on public lands, we queried the US Department of Forestry. According to the USFS, winter travel rules allow for motorized access to National Forest roads with no restrictions. You may also travel over open areas with a minimum snow depth of 12 inches. The deal is, as long as your tires don’t hit the dirt, the impact is minimal, similar to the rules that apply to snowmobiles.
When running in soft snow, floatation is the name of the game. Running a heavily modified Jeep Wrangler, Michael Smith keeps his YJ above the surface with the help of the original extreme mud and snow tires, a set of Interco Super Swamper TSLs.
The Winter Fun Festival trail guides are comprised of local backcountry gurus. In addition to getting everyone on the trail, they also take a head count at the end of the day to make sure everyone gets off the mountain before the sun gets too low. |
Running a set of BFG Mud Terrains, ARB lockers and a 4.5-inch Rubicon Express long arm suspension, Jimmy Clements, of the Sierra Treasure Hunters 4WD Club is a regular to the Winter Fun Fest. |
Back in Grass Valley, the Winter Fun crew was preparing a delicious tri-tip dinner with all the trimmings. Over 700 gathered for dinner and a large raffle where lucky ticket holders walked away with prizes donated by Warn, ARB, BFGoodrich and dozens of other sponsors. Day two included several additional SUV/historic runs and an additional run into the high country.
Cal 4Wheel is a major player in our political fight to keep public lands, such as Tahoe National Forest, available for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. By attending events sponsored by Cal4Wheel, United 4WD Association, or your local state association, you’ll not only have a great time and do some great wheeling, you will also be doing your part to support the ongoing struggle to keep public lands open for you, the public. For more information on the Winter Fun Fest (held in January ’05) and numerous other association-sponsored events, contact CA4WDC at: 1-800-4x4-FUNN or surf the web to www.Cal4Wheel.com. For your area, contact United Four Wheel Drive Association: www.ufwda.org for a list of state organizations.