It looked like a different event experience for us this year as we were without a real wheelin' rig. Project This Old Scout has a new home and Project Blue Oval YJ is still under the knife so it fell upon the big Bronco to take care of any wheelin' and camping duties for this one. That meant I would have to take more pics than sit behind the wheel of my own trail rig, but all the better for you, dear reader!

As we pulled into camp, we met up with an old wheelin' buddy who had talked his brother in coming out with his two kids, a couple of motorcycles, and a brand new toy hauler trailer. This was the first time I had spent much time in this type of RV, but I was impressed by the room the functionality, and the 'just right' balance of luxury and utility it offered. We were especially glad to have the shelter as the first two days of the event were very windy and cold. In fact, it destroyed a brand new tent that a Scouts West club member had set up in our camp the day after I arrived. He and the wife decided to find a hotel room in nearby Barstow and re-join us the next day.

All the Cal 4 Wheel events have a very family feel to them with little signs of loud parties, racing vehicles, etc. That is one of my favorite things about attending this and other events they host. In fact, we had camped on the outskirts of the group camp area so we could ride the little trail bikes that were tucked into the toy hauler. I gave my 12 year old his first taste of trail riding on two wheels and he was jazzed.

Remember, Cal 4 Wheel is centered around fighting to keep areas like Stoddard Valley open for your use and High Desert Round-up is one of the fundraising events that makes that fight possible. Check our Land Access section for an association near you that you can get involved with or join one of the National groups like Blue Ribbon Coalition.

Saturday morning I tagged along with the group running Pumpkin Eater. This is one of the more difficult runs due to two obstacles, the V notch and a waterfall, each in different but adjacent canyons. I was able to follow in the big Bronco till it got rough and then I scooted around on a bypass and parked to shoot the merriment. Stoddard Valley is an open OHV area, so there are many trails criss crossing the washes and hill tops. One could get out there and wander around all day on trails that suit your vehicles abilities. Pumpkin Eater points you to the V notch as the first significant match of metal VS. rock. Really not all that hard, it still requires at least one locker and a pretty big tire or you will be stacking rocks to get up the abrupt entrance to the V. Once up there, the challenge is to stay astride the notch without falling in and finding sheet metal.

One poor soul found out that a tie rod makes a lousy rock guard and the resulting steering force bent it into a nice 'u' shape. The fix? What else but a Hi-Lift jack handle welded onto the straightened tie rod. Gotta love those Hi-Lifts.

From here we crept over to the next canyon and faced the waterfall that always takes its toll on rigs or drivers that are not prepared for the task. This year I missed the roll over on the waterfall that bent this TJ. It made it back to camp, but it was done for the weekend.

The more successful challengers still had to use the winch once and awhile. One Scout II among a sea of Jeeps did a great job before getting hung on the bigger rocks at the exit to the falls. Hammered to perfection, this Scout II held up the banner of farm equipment with pride.

Following a fabulous BBQ beef dinner by Chef Andy on Saturday night, Sunday morning we headed over to the games area where various clubs hosted fun trials like Wet Lap where the passenger holds a bowl of water while the driver follows a timed course. At the end, the water left in the bowl is measured and the passenger is left to dry in the sun. Potato spearing, can-on-pole games, ramps, teeter-totters, etc. Good fun. Later in the day, the kids games were held in the tent at main camp where many of the games were duplicated for the little ones to give their best to. The prizes were candies and small trophies.

I also had a chance to walk around camp and check out the Tin Benders booth where they were advertising a raffle for a Formula Toyota chassis with the proceeds to go to land access efforts.

Sunday night ended with the awards for all the game winners and the raffle with some happy folks walking out with nice loot courtesy of event sponsors and supporters.