With more than a few successful events under its belt, the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC) certainly knows how to host an adventure-filled 'wheeling weekend. Having attended or participated in a number of the organization's events through the years, we've grown to expect nothing but tough trails and good times, and the 33rd Annual Hi Desert Round-Up provided a good deal of both.
Held during Memorial Day weekend, the Hi Desert Round-Up is part of a series of association fund-raising events, which include the Sierra Trek, Paniment Valley Days, Operation Desert Fun, Winter Fun Festival, and Molina Ghost Run. As with each of the events, the Hi Desert Round-Up is a volunteer effort, drawing assistance from many of the member clubs from throughout California. In addition to leading trail runs, clubs and individuals organize to assist with setup and breakdown of the event grounds, host a raffle, and hold club competitions, 4x4 games, and kids games to keep all attendees entertained no matter the time of day.
The 33rd Annual Hi Desert Round-Up took place over Memorial Day weekend. The event is held to raise funds for the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs.
The Hi Desert Round-up took place at the Stoddard Valley OHV area just outside of Barstow, California. The area possesses innumerous hills and valleys, with tight trails snaking through the majority of the dry sand washes and canyons. With names such as Pumpkin Eater, Achy Breaky, Devils Loop, and Empire Strikes Back, the trails offer plenty of raucous rockcrawling opportunities, though most of the more extreme obstacles feature bypasses for those leery of body damage.
Our day in the desert started with hotcakes and sausage at the Ruff Rock Run Cafe, which was set up in the staging area to feed the masses. We then set out on Pumpkin Eater for some of the best 'wheeling opportunities in the area. The wind had dropped off considerably from the evening before, leaving just enough behind to offer a perfect day of 'wheeling under the sun without an excessive degree of heat.
Members from the Riff Raff 4 Wheel Drive Club of Ojai, California, participated in the run through Pumpkin Eater. | |
The 33rd Annual Hi Desert Round-Up took place over Memorial Day weekend. The event is held to raise funds for the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs. |
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A good deal of Jeep TJs were on the scene, but Jeep CJs appeared to be the rig of choice for most of those in attendance. | 
This Toyota Land Cruiser didn't leave Pumpkin Eater for a few hours after this wheel stand, which resulted in a bent rear spring. The bent spring in turn broke free from the hanger and left the rear axle to fold under the vehicle. |
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With patches of loose dirt interspersed throughout the rocky trails, many of the vehicles used the throttle method to traverse some of the trickier obstacles. |  |
Jack Graf of CTM Racing Products made it out to the event in his Jeep CJ product tester. |  |  |
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