"All-4-Fun Week is about fun with friends," said the late Jim Provence of Colorado's Mile-Hi Jeep Club, "not tough trucks and hard trails, though we provide them, too." Jim died shortly after last year's All-4-Fun Week, but what he said is still true. This is one of the best family four-wheeling events in the nation, held on some of the world's most scenic trails. For those who just have to try the most challenging trails, All-4-Fun 2003 offered what may be the country's toughest trail: the new Carnage Canyon off the Chinaman Gulch Trail near Buena Vista.
Each year, the Mile-Hi Jeep Club selects an area in one of Colorado's mountain communities, scouts trails, arranges services, and puts up its huge red-and-white tent. All-4-Fun has a set schedule, and pre-registered guests arrive in camp on the Saturday of the first week in August. For 2003, participants rendezvoused in Leadville, the highest incorporated town in the U.S. at 10,200 feet above sea level, for the 37th Annual All-4-Fun. Another crowd was already in town for the annual Get Your Ass Over The Pass burrow race over Mosquito Pass.
During the week, we shared the Arkansas River Valley and the Sawatch Range with numerous independent off-highway vehicle drivers and raft/kayak enthusiasts. From our spacious camp on a ranch near Twin Lakes, small groups of 'wheelers ran 10-12 trails each day, with the exception of Wednesday. Each evening, sponsors provided activities, such as Bestop's ice-cream social.
On Wednesday, corporate sponsors exhibited their products, 'wheelers checked out each other's rigs, and kids competed in games. We also examined products featured in the vendor booths and picked up some excellent 4WD trail books with good descriptions, maps, and GPS coordinates from Swagman Publishing (www.4wdbooks.com). The vendors provided burgers and drinks, with the afternoon free for anything from relaxing to taking an invigorating raft trip.
As Jim said, All-4-Fun is about fun with friends. For many 'wheelers, that meant getting the adrenaline up and climbing off-camber rock ledges. But for others, it meant relaxing over a picnic lunch on a mountain top, hanging out with friends, or helping the kids roast marshmallows around a fire.
During the week, we heard horror stories about the damage the new Carnage Canyon had inflicted on those who attempted to drive it. One day, after we completed Chinaman Gulch Trail, we passed the entrance of the re-opened extreme challenge. Since discretion is the better part of valor, we parked our rigs and hiked up the short trail. Along the way, we noted several permanent winch anchor points and automotive paint on the rocks. Even on foot, Carnage Canyon frequently had us clawing our way up the rocks on all fours.
All-4-Fun is Mile-Hi Jeep Club's biggest fundraiser of the year, and Thursday evening was raffle night in the big tent. Everyone bought tickets for a chance at the many valuable products provided by the sponsors. Other fundraising items were auctioned to the crowd. Throughout the years, Mile-Hi has raised more than $110,000 for the Children's Hospital of Denver, with as much as $10,000 coming from All-4-Fun 2003. Last year, the club paid for a special camp for the hospital's young burn victims.
Friday evening was Warn Winch Night, with Warn providing dinner and live music. The tent was packed during dinner, and as the band started up, couples moved to the center to dance the evening away. Other small groups moved their lawn chairs outside to visit under the awesome stars. They weren't too far from the tent, however, because you had to be present to win Warn's door prizes.
Saturday morning, we bade farewell to our All-4-Fun friends. As the club packed the big tent, another large group of off-road adventurers passed through the ranch on mountain bikes. Until next August, we'll be daydreaming of another All-4-Fun Week in mile-high Colorado.