Who’s ready to TEST YOUR STRENGTH at Lost Lizard 🦎 Fun Run? All off-roaders welcome—motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, 4x4s. You can still register at the event. ✨TDS gang will be at Checkpoint #6!✨ ✨Giant Raffle with over $30,000 in prizes✨ ♦ Family-friendly OHV Route ♦ Six Checkpoints with Fun Games ♦ Great Prizes for best hand, second best hand and worst hand Base Camp located in Superstition OHV Area at The Dip 32.897429, -115.720522 Approximately 20-Mile Course This is not a race!!
Chris Duke takes the completed Jeep Wrangler project vehicle off-roading, and Alan Taylor visits the Dodge SRT Experience at the Bondurant Racing School.
The 54th Annual Desert Safari, hosted by the Tierra Del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club of San Diego, took place at a new venue this year, which offered lots of new and exciting off-road activities for attendees. As one of the longest running off-road events in the nation, the Desert Safari helps raise funds to fight land closures and keep our trails open. The reason for the venue change this year is a perfect example of why it is so important for off-roaders to get involved and support the cause. The previous location at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (OWSVRA) is 80,000 acres of open riding, adjacent to 500,000 acres of protected Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Environmentalists have been filing lawsuits since 1993 seeking to end the open riding policy, claiming that is damaging natural resources.
“TDS Four Wheel Drive Club decided to actively fight the lawsuit”
The activists have again filed seeking protective status for the Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard ((Phrynosoma mcallii), despite being told three times previous that, “In conclusion, OHV activity does not appear to be a significant threat to flat-tailed horned lizard habitat throughout its range at this time, nor is it likely to become a significant threat in the foreseeable future” (Federal Register, Volume 76 Number 50, Department of the Interior, 2011). Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and the Desert Protective Council (DPC) have filed suit against California State Parks, claiming that they are violating the Public Resources Code by allowing open riding in a designated open riding area. California Fish and Wildlife agreed to study the request again, and no permits were to be issued during the study period which ended in February. The TDS Four Wheel Drive Club decided to actively fight the lawsuit and partnered with CORVA (California Off Road Vehicle Association) and Ecologic Partners for the long and expensive battle.
Rather than cancel the long-running event, Tierra Del Sol was able to find a new venue capable of hosting the large crowd of off-roaders. The Desert Safari headquarters was ultimately relocated to the West Shores Marina and RV Park, a short distance away on the Salton Sea. Palm Wash and Anza Ditch provide off-road access from camping locations in Ocotillo Wells, or attendees could camp on the beach. TDS then undertook the daunting task of finding a new home for the trail run. They met with the owners of the nearby Red Earth Casino, and the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians agreed to allow TDS to build new trails on their privately owned property. Unfortunately, after all of the back-breaking work put into creating the new trails, the environmental review could not be completed in time for the trails to officially open for the event.
Remember. If you don’t fight for it, you are going to lose it.
The obstacle courses were made of boulders, huge tires, and concrete tubes. It was a little extreme for stock 4x4s, but moderately modified rigs had no trouble navigating the course.
The tube obstacle course named Dale’s Drive was extremely difficult. We watched a few people decide to back off after only going a few feet. We were surprised that we didn’t witness any breakage, a fact that’s largely contributed to the level of rigs and drivers attempting to complete the course.
The mud pit was a popular attraction and had a large crowd of people throughout the event.
“Remember. If you don’t fight for it, you are going to lose it”
It’s not often we see mud in Southern California, especially after a few years of drought. So, it was a real treat. The kids were especially digging the wet dirt.
There was even a fun obstacle course for RC cars.
Icon Vehicle Dynamics was showing off some beautiful truck builds in the vendor area. This overland-themed Toyota Tacoma on Nitto Trail Grapplers was one of our favorites.
There was a large mix of vehicles on hand at the show. This nicely modified Jeep Wrangler Unlimited caught our eye over the weekend.
Keeping with tradition, after the $150,000+ raffle Saturday night, the event wrapped up with a fantastic fireworks show over the Salton Sea. TDS deserves many kudos for their hard work to make this a successful event despite facing many challenges. The new venue brought many great additions to the event, and everyone we talked to had a fantastic time. We’re looking forward to seeing the new trails open next year!
Rumors are circulating on the internet in the 4WD community that the Los Coyotes Reservation is open for 4 Wheeling. Those rumors are WRONG Extra resources. The Reservation is open on weekends and holidays for Camping ONLY. (Camping is restricted to the Main Campground.)
The graded roads beyond the campground, to the old Lookout Tower, Choke Cherry Valley and 4 Corners to the Helo Pad are open. All other roads and trails on the reservation are CLOSED even though there are no signs indicating so. If it is not a graded road, it is CLOSED.
The Los Coyotes Band now has its own Tribal Police Force who can, and will, enforce the rules.
Representatives from the San Diego 4 Wheelers, TDS and JustRuns are in discussions with the Tribe about possibly allowing limited 4 Wheeling on a Special Permit basis. No decision has been made by the Tribe. It will be a few months before a decision is made. If they do decide to open to 4 Wheeling it will be on a limited, pre-arranged “Special Permit” basis.
We hope for a favorable decision by the Tribe, however, anyone violating the Closed Areas risks causing the Tribe to make an unfavorable decision.
MOAB, Utah (March 27, 2013) – BFGoodrich® Tires, in collaboration with Tread Lightly! ® and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), today announced the winners of the 2013 Outstanding Trails program. Nominated for uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast following, the trails selected for this year’s program are:
Dutch John Trail at the Uwharrie National Forest in Troy, North Carolina
Kansas Rocks Recreation Park in Mapleton, Kansas
Truckhaven in Salton City , California
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Since its inception in 2006, The Outstanding Trails program has been dedicated to the responsible use and preservation of off-road trails. In the last eight years, Outstanding Trails has recognized more than 30 off-road trails throughout the country and has awarded over $115,000+ in grants in support of trail conservation efforts.
“The legacy of the Outstanding Trails program is a great source of pride for BFGoodrich,” said Duane Thomas, brand communications manager for BFGoodrich Tires. “We’re grateful for the efforts of the many four-wheel drive clubs and their volunteers for working with us in our quest to help maintain some of North America’s most beautiful trails.”
BFGoodrich Tires 2013 Outstanding Trails
During the course of the year, BFGoodrich Tires will be at club events associated with these trails to highlight the uniqueness of each location, educate off-road enthusiasts on the responsible use of the trails and present a $4,000 grant to each club to assist in the preservation of trail access.
Dutch John Trail at the Uwharrie National Forest is a 2.1-mile trail maintained by The Carolina Trail Blazers 4WD Club, a family oriented club formed in 1971. The Carolina Trail Blazers 4WD Club was instrumental in the development of the Uwharrie Off-Highway Vehicle trails, which it has been maintaining since they were first opened to 4WD use.
Kansas Rocks Recreation Park is a not-for-profit park open to the public, boasting trails for beginners and experienced outdoor enthusiasts alike. The park is maintained by The Brush Beater Jeep Club and is open to all makes of four-wheel drive vehicles.
Truckhaven is the host of the annual Tierra Del Sol Desert Safari. The trails consist of sandy washes, rocky canyons, deep gorges with near perpendicular walls and great hill climbs. Tierra Del Sol has a history with this area going back over 50 years and is involved with constant renovations and improvements for Truckhaven to improve the quality of its off-road trails.
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“The three trails and clubs recognized in 2013 are some of the best we’ve seen to date,” said Lori McCullough, executive director of Tread Lightly!. “We are excited to see the great work that these clubs will do to help improve and conserve access to these trails.”
”For the past eight years, UFWDA has been honored to be a partner in the Outstanding Trails program,” said Jim Mazzola, President of UFWDA. “The more than 30 grants provided by BFGoodrich as part of the Outstanding Trails program have made a tremendous impact helping preserve some of the most beautiful off-road trails available.”
About the Outstanding Trails Program
The BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trails program was established in 2006 to raise awareness for responsible use and preservation of off-road trails while providing support in the trails’ conservation efforts. Through 2013, the Outstanding Trails program has recognized over 30 off-road trails and clubs across North America. The program has provided more than $115,000+ in grants in support of the various trails conservation efforts.
Both Tread Lightly! and UFWDA are non-profit organizations dedicated to responsible and ethical outdoor recreation. BFGoodrich Tires collaborated with these two groups to select the finest off-road trails and continues to work with these organizations on restoration and education initiatives.
About BFGoodrich Tires
Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 40 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including sports car, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle. Visit BFGoodrich Tires at www.BFGoodrichTires.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BFGoodrichTires  or on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/BFGoodrichTires.
About United Four Wheel Drive Associations
United Four Wheel Drive Associations is the world’s leading representative of all-brand, four wheel-drive enthusiasts. UFWDA benefits, developed and tested over the past 30 years, include four-wheel-drive safety and awareness education; such user ethics programs as adopt-a-road, conservation volunteer and volunteer trail patrol; assistance with new club formation; education seminars to aid four wheelers through complex state and federal programs affecting trail access; internet forums designed to instantly connect members globally; a legislative advocate and nationally recognized attorney who works exclusively for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts to protect access and prevent road and trail closures. For more information on the UFWDA log on to www.ufwda.org, or call 1-800-44-UFWDA (800-448-3932).
About Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through ethics education and stewardship programs. Tread Lightly!’s award-winning educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment. Tread Lightly! offers unique programs and services to help remedy current recreation issues. Individuals and businesses can commit to Tread Lightly! and protect outdoor access by becoming a member at www.treadlightly.org.
Tierra Del Sol and Ocotillo Wells State Park are partnering to build a couple of new obstacles in the Training Area park. We’re building a pyramid and a series of stair steppers. These pictures are from Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova.
TDS is purchasing the list of materials below. If anyone has a line on a concrete contractor who would loan or rent out this laundry list, let me know. Reply here or a PM works. Also looking for a reasonable concrete boom truck contractor for a week. We will be starting this project early next month.
