For those of us who enjoy four-wheeling on our local trails, there's no better feeling than knowing you're doing your best to keep them open and properly maintained. That's just what the Big Bear Forest Fest (BBFF), put on by the Inland Empire 4W Club in Southern California, is all about. Each year the BBFF event helps the Forest Service maintain and ultimately protect our 4x4 trails. All proceeds from the event go to buying equipment that the Forest Service needs in order to clear dead trees, build and preserve fire roads, control erosion, and in general keep the 4x4 trails accessible for all to enjoy.
Although this event happens to take place in and around the city of Big Bear Lake, California, every year in June, it seems that this type of charitable event can take place anywhere and truly benefit any local 4x4 community. Maybe this will inspire other 4x4 clubs to find out what their favorite four-wheeling area desperately needs in order to survive and to take action at the grass roots level.
All of the IE4W club members donate their time and, for most, their money to make this event happen. It is a testament to the will they have collectively to keep our trails open - not just for those club members, but for all 4x4 owners to pursue their passion. It takes real dedication to pull off this type of event, which includes everything from handling preregistration and vehicle inspections to preparing goody bags and coordinating companies that generously donate raffle prizes.
Hundreds of RVs and 4x4s gather at the Snow Valley Ski Area parking lot to camp and come together for this great family event. All levels of trails that surround the Big Bear area are guided by experienced trail leaders, mid-gunners, and tail-gunners to make sure all of the rigs make it back to camp safely.
Once you arrive back at camp after enjoying a long day on your favorite trail, the fun is not over. There are manufacturer and vendor booths with the latest products for your rig. Plus, there are radio-controlled trucks, tools, games, and a rock wall for the kids. Falken Tire even had RC rock-crawlers for the kids to drive on a little 'crawler course. Then there's the kids raffle, which is sponsored by caring individuals and groups in the 4x4 community.
After you've worked up an appetite, the IE4W crew serves up an incredible BBQ dinner, and some members like Cheri McRae even forego the trails and stay behind so they can spend more time preparing the meal. The main raffle - with more than $25,000 in generously donated prizes from BBFF sponsors - wraps up Saturday's events. And if you're hardcore, the Sunday trail rides serves as the perfect finish to a weekend of supporting the Forest Service and the Big Bear OHV area.
Inland Empire 4W Club
www.ie4w.com
After the short road trip...
After the short road trip to the Dishpan Springs trailhead, we gathered again to air down tires and get ready for a fun day in the forest. The group consisted mostly of Jeep JKs, but there was also a Toyota 4Runner, a CJ, and a TJ or two to keep the JK crowd rooted to the past.
Trail leader Larry McRae,...
Trail leader Larry McRae, a long time IE4W member and also the owner of Poison Spyder Customs, confidently spotted a stock JK down a difficult section of the trail.
The Rebel Off Road crew led...
The Rebel Off Road crew led by Bond Gilmer had quite a few stout JKs with some really cool parts that set them apart, and as far as we could tell, none of them ever flinched a bit on the trail.
The Rebel Off Road crew led...
The Rebel Off Road crew led by Bond Gilmer had quite a few stout JKs with some really cool parts that set them apart, and as far as we could tell, none of them ever flinched a bit on the trail.
Julio and Laura Monroy from...
Julio and Laura Monroy from Trail Sport ran the trail in the 4West JK, even though they have a few real capable Jeeps and an even more capable Toyota Truggy.
The Friar Engineering JK is...
The Friar Engineering JK is a well-built and capable machine that has also been with us on Aftershock at the Hammers in the past. Here it easily cruised down the waterfall on Dishpan.
Toward the end of the trail...
Toward the end of the trail this was the view looking out over the small dam. It was no wonder why it was a popular spot for four-wheelers and motorcycle riders alike to relax and enjoy the water and the scenery.
Heading back up the hill from...
Heading back up the hill from Dishpan Springs, the group took a short rest.
After delays early on with...
After delays early on with some of the Jeeps in the rear, the large group had split into two smaller groups to navigate the trail a little quicker. The groups crossed paths again here at the bottom of the waterfall - the toughest part of the trail.
Even a Caddy Buggy with plenty...
Even a Caddy Buggy with plenty of bling, including huge chrome wire wheels, showed up and showed off its prowess at the top of the waterfall.
Larry "Full-Pull" McRae made...
Larry "Full-Pull" McRae made such short work of the famous Waterfall on Dishpan, we were only able to capture the famous Poison Spyder Customs JK once he was at the top.
Brian Cox crawled his modified...
Brian Cox crawled his modified 4Runner up the waterfall obstacle. Because the tire speed was slow, Dusty Sharp was able to get a good clean shot and was kind enough to share his photos for the article.
Poison Spyder Customs set...
Poison Spyder Customs set up shop to show off their popular hardcore Jeep parts. They even did a tube fender replacement on Friday afternoon for a customer, who then got to test it out the next day.
Most of us remember Smokey...
Most of us remember Smokey the Bear. Smokey showed up with a forest ranger friend to greet everyone and let all the younger folks know that he's still spreading the word on how to keep the woods safe from forest fires.
GenRight showed up with this...
GenRight showed up with this massively-built Jeep Wrangler YJ, and lots of high-tech parts on hand, to let attendees know what's available for their Jeeps.
The Daystar crew came all...
The Daystar crew came all the way from the Phoenix area to play and display the fine products available for lots of different 4x4s. We searched for our long-time friend, Trenton McGee, but heard he was having fun on a trip in Alaska instead...thanks for the invite Trent.
Displaying their latest off-road...
Displaying their latest off-road tire, the WildPeak, to all the booth visitors, Falken Tire also kept the kids busy with a mini course for RC rock crawlers.
IE4W member and Poison Spyder...
IE4W member and Poison Spyder Customs owner Larry McRae got us back from the run on Saturday somewhat early and got right to barbecuing.
Also shown is the huge BBQ...
Also shown is the huge BBQ and kitchen area needed to prepare the dinner and feed such a large group.
This kind of rock-climbing...
This kind of rock-climbing does not require a 4x4. On Saturday evening, kids were getting to the top of the rock wall in no time, and then rappelling down.