STAGECOACH, NV (March 30, 2012) -- 18th Annual Lassen-Applegate Emigrant Trail Ride. Relive the gold rush era as you travel the famous Lassen-Applegate Emigrant Trail in your sport utility vehicle (SUV), marveling at such sights as the beautiful Black Rock Desert, the majestic High Rock Canyon, Double Hot Springs, and Soldier Meadows.
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High Rocks Canyon, on the Lassen-Applegate Trail Ride. |
All of these sights as well as stories from early emigrant diaries will spring to life for participants on the 18th annual Lassen-Applegate Trail Ride, Friday, July 20 through Monday, July 23, hosted by the High Rock Trekkers Four Wheel Drive Club.
This exciting 200-mile journey begins near Imlay, NV, follows the same wagon train route used by Peter Lassen in 1849, and concludes in Surprise Valley, CA near Cedarville in Modoc County. This was also an alternate route used by early pioneers to reach central Oregon.
"For me, this trail is special and as a historian, I get to relive the past by thinking of John C. Fremont, Kit Carson, and Thomas 'Brokenhand' Fitzpatrick and many other brave men and women as they made this arduous journey from small towns throughout the Midwest," said Warner Anderson, trail boss from the High Rock Trekkers.
Anderson said the trip is open to all four-wheel drive enthusiasts and their families. It is not a difficult route, but there are a few places where four-wheel drive will be required or where trail committee instructions must be followed.
"The emigrants wrote in their diaries such good descriptions of their trip that we can identify the majority of key points of interest in the history of this route," Anderson said.
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This stone building was a mess hall for cavalry troopers stationed at Soldier Meadows outpost (photos supplied by Jack Raudy of the High Rock Trekkers). |
Camping the first night will be at Double Hot Springs, former camping area for all of the pioneer wagon trains and the second night participants will spend the evening at Stevens Camp, which provides toilets, spring water, and possible hot showers. Participants will need to bring their own tents and sleeping bags.
Cost for the trip is $275 per adult, $150 for children seven through 14, and children under seven are welcome free of charge. The cost includes all meals from breakfast on Saturday through breakfast on Monday. In addition to tents and sleeping bags, participants are encouraged to bring a CB radio, camera, folding chairs, snacks, refreshments and drinking water.
The Lassen-Applegate Emigrant Trail Ride is fully insured and operates under a permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Proceeds from the event help support the California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs' Conservation and Education Foundation.
The trip is limited to the first 25 vehicles on a first-registered, first-served basis. To register for this exciting trail ride, contact Warner Anderson at (775) 629-9232 or wana7448@sbcglobal.net or Ron Vance at (775) 246-4099 or vance63@charter.net. Registration is also available online at www.highrocktrekkers.com.
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The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, outreach, education, and collaboration among recreationists. 1-800-BLUERIB - http://www.sharetrails.org.
