U.S. FORESTRY ADOPT-A-TRAIL

  • Co-adopted the Sherman Pass 4X4 Road in the Sequoia National Forest with the Bakersfield Trailblazers 4WD Club
  • Adopted the road to McIver’s cabin in the Sequoia National Forest

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK ADOPT-A-TRAIL

  • Eureka/Saline Corridor
  • We maintain these roads so that they may remain open and safely traveled by the 4-wheeling public.

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ADOPT-A-TRAIL

  • Inyo Crest Trail


McIver
Sherman
Saline/Eureka
Click on the thumbnail to see additional information!

BLM SITE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

  • Became Site Stewards for an archeology site in the Panamint Mountains in 2003
  • Won the CA4WDC Conservation Award for the Southern District for our conservation efforts of this site for the years 2002, 2004 and 2005.

ON LOCAL BLM STEERING COMMITTEE

  • To help give guidance on important issues which may affect our activities.

BLM CONSERVATION PROJECTS


The Guzzler
Tenders Cabin
Cabin Sign

  • Fenced off dangerous mine shafts in the area
  • Organized clean-up efforts
  • Provided vehicles to transport BLM Desert Advisory Council on field trip of Nightmare Gulch
  • Helped install big game guzzler for NWC/BLM on NWC land
  • Assisted BLM/Boy Scout Eagle Project on public lands
  • Mapped roads and trails for inclusion in trail system for BLM, to list a few.
  • Assisted in stabilizing the Salt Tram Cross Over Cabin (Click Here for the full story!)
  • Assist the BLM in overseeing and managing the Adopt-A-Cabin program.
  • Assisted in volunteer projects to protect and enhance the ecological, recreational, and scenic values in the South Ridgecrest Viewshed.

HAVE PROVIDED TESTIMONY TO:

  • U.S. Senators at Senate hearings opposing the California Desert Protection Act
  • U.S. Congressman at Congressional hearing opposing the CDPA
  • County Supervisors at 2 recent Citizen’s Hearings opposing the CDPA

Attended various BLM & U.S. Forestry meetings on various issues & areas which would affect our activities.


California Association of 4WD Clubs, Inc. Awards

  • Won the CA4WDC Conservation Award for the Southern District for our conservation efforts for the years 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2009.
  • Won the CA4WDC State Conservation Award for our conservation efforts of the Cerro Gordo Ghost Town for the year 2009.

Public service activities have included:

  • Johnny Horizon cleanups in co-operation with CORL and the BLM.
  • Supporting Ridgecrest Improvement Committee’s Fund Raising Dinner.
  • Assisting in forming foundations and framing the same committee’s building at the Golf Center project.
  • Provided vehicles and drivers for the California State Department of Parks and Recreation Tour of Red Rock Canyon.
  • Sponsored public meeting for the BLM on the subject of land closures in the desert.
  • In the past we have participated in the Adopt-a-Trail program with the BLM, Forest Service, and National Park Service. Our current roads include the Eureka/Saline Corridor with Death Valley National Park and a co-adoption of the Sherman Pass 4X4 Road with the Bakersfield Trailblazers with the Sequoia National Forest.

Cerro Gordo Ghost Town


Cerro Gordo in
Winter
Cerro Gordo in
Spring
1871 American
Hotel

  • Became the first 4-wheel drive club to adopt Cerro Gordo Ghost Town in 1985.
  • Won the CA4WDC State Conservation Award for our conservation efforts of the Cerro Gordo Ghost Town for the year 2009.
  • The owners of Cerro Gordo, Jody Stewart and Mike Patterson, had been warned about that “renegade” jeep club. It was in 1984 when that first fateful encounter occurred. Mike had seen the Gear Grinders as they rounded the corner on Chinese Hill and was prepared to defend his property by any means necessary. Upon meeting the club members, he realized the warning was unfounded. A friendship was forged that day that still endures.
  • We have cleared brush, stabilized the hotel, helped with the renovating of the hotel, built fences, helped repair and remodel the Bunk House and various other and ongoing projects.
  • Visit the Cerro Gordo web site Here. Overnight accommodations are available by reservation only. Cerro Gordo is also an excellent site for events like weddings, birthdays and other group activities.
  • The Gear Grinders Tribute to Mike Patterson can be found here.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE CITY OF RIDGECREST:

  • Desert Empire Fair Parade participants (’89, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’99, 2003)
  • Led 4 X 4 trips into the El Paso Mtns. for High Desert Escapades (’82-’84)
  • Chamber of Commerce Activities:
    • Led trip to Cerro Gordo for Western Days (’91)
    • Booth at Maturango Junction (’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)


Maturango 2003
Mapping 2005

Road Inventory/Mapping 2005

In response to the new public land use policy that would soon go into effect The California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs had called on all member clubs to participate in an inventory of all roads and trails in their area. The Gear Grinders had willingly accepted the call. We inventoried by GPS mapping all roads and trails within our area of responsibility; an area of approximately 1718sq. miles covered on pages 64 and 65 of the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer of Southern California. It was a daunting task that took many hours and volunteers to accomplish. On the bright side, we got to drive our Jeeps!

Members Section

Information

Our Adopt-a-trails