Editor
The Record-Courier 775/782-6152
Contact: Jack Raudy
(530) 389-9154 or email jraudy@foothill.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELIVE THE PAST IN YOUR SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLE
DURING THE 10TH ANNUAL
LASSEN-APPLEGATE EMIGRANT TRAIL RIDE
Friday, July 16 through Monday July 19, 2004
SACRAMENTO,
CA (April 19, 2004) Painted Canyon, Rabbit Hole Springs,
and the Black Rock Desert will all come to life for sport utility vehicle
(SUV) and other four-wheel drive owners signing up to retrace the early pioneer
Lassen-Applegate Emigrant Trail, Friday, July 16 through Monday, July 19.
According to Warner Anderson, trail boss and narrator
for this famous trip from the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs,
participants will travel over many of the same roads and trails traveled by
more than 8,000 early pioneers in 1,500 covered wagons during the 1849 to
1852 gold rush period.
Anderson said the journey is approximately 250
miles long and is especially designed for families. The trip begins in Lovelock,
Nevada and ends in Surprise Valley, California located near Cedarville in
northern Modoc County.
"Whether you are a history buff, like myself, or
just want to take your family out into the backcountry and enjoy some beautiful
scenery, great food and wonderful camaraderie, we will have it all." Anderson
said.
Anderson said this trip follows the same route
discovered by Peter Lassen in 1849. Anderson estimated that one-third of the
1849 gold rush emigrants used this particular trail.
"Warner Anderson was our trail narrator last year,"
said John Moreau, who made the trip from the Bay Area, "and if you have not
done a trail with Warner as narrator, you are missing a walking and talking
history book."
This year's trail ride guests will gather at the
Ramada Inn in Lovelock for a wine and cheese get-together at 7:30 p.m. on
Friday evening, July 16. At that time, Anderson will provide his guests with
an overview of the trip and each vehicle owner will receive a copy of the
book entitled "Emigrant Trails West."
After breakfast on
Saturday, the group will begin its journey across the Humboldt River, past
a pioneer graveyard, through Rabbit Hole Springs and camping that evening
will be at Double Hot Springs. Sunday's itinerary will include stops at the
site where Peter Lassen was murdered, Soldier Meadow Ranch, High Rock Canyon
and finally to Stevens Camp for the evening. Stevens Camp, discovered by Captain
John Fremont during his exploration of the West, offers toilets, spring water
and possible hot showers.
On Monday, the final day of the trek, the group
will climb over the 49er Pass, where participants will have an opportunity
to enjoy a panoramic view looking east from atop a high mountain ridge.
Cost for this trip is $250 per adult and $125 for
children age 11 and under. The cost includes all meals from breakfast on Saturday
through lunch on Monday. In addition to bringing their own tent and sleeping
bags, participants are also encouraged to bring a citizens band (CB) radio,
camera, folding chairs, trail snacks, refreshments and drinking water.
"This is one of the most beautiful unspoiled natural
areas accessible by motor vehicles that I have ever seen," said Moreau. "I
know I will make the trip again in 2004 as you have to make the trip twice
because you simply can't see it all the first time around."
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's Conservation & Education Foundation.
The trip is limited to 25 vehicles on a first-registered,
first-served basis. To reserve space for this trip or for more information,
contact Ron or Carole Vance at (775) 246-4099 or email vance@intercomm.com.
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