Some folks take the Interstate. Some prefer back roads. And some prefer roads that barely deserve the name. For them, the Jeepers Jamboree is the event of the year.
Now in its 55th year, the Jeepers Jamboree, which covers the Rubicon Trail between Loon Lake and Lake Tahoe's west shore, is the event for people who couldn't care less about speed but want to see what their four-wheel-drive vehicle can handle.
"You can walk the Rubicon Trail faster than you can drive it," says event organizer Lacey Spillers.
In this year's first Jamboree, July 26-29, vehicles rarely will reach speeds higher than 3 mph. But it's not a competition, and it's not about getting there; it's about getting over the next boulder that matters to Jamboree attendees, who Spillers says are coming from as far away as Australia, Mexico and the Netherlands to try their wheels on what organizers bill as "the oldest, toughest and largest organized event of this type in the world."
The basic outline is this: After registering in advance and having their vehicles pass muster with the organizers -- the vehicles must be street legal but modified to be able to climb over rocks and ruts, and not too big -- the participants head for Georgetown, where they check in and head up a paved road to Robb's Resort, where they camp overnight.
At 6 the next morning, drivers (and their passengers -- at least two people must be in each vehicle) -- take off for an eight-mile trip that will take the better part of 12 hours, assuming they make it. When they reach Rubicon Springs, they'll camp for three days, entertained by races, a slew of four-wheelin'-related vendors, and a Jimmy Buffett tribute band.
Then, on the last day, they'll rev back up and tackle the second, nine-mile leg of the Rubicon, from Rubicon Springs to Homewood.
The event is a challenge even for veteran drivers -- some of whom have attended the event since its start, says Spillers -- but it is also a great time for newbies to check it out.
"People can learn how to four-wheel better," says Spillers. "We have trail guides to show them the best routes, and mechanics to help them out if they break down."
The four-day Jeepers Jamboree, which will be held July 26-29, is sold out. But there are still slots available for the modified, three-day Jeepers Jamboree on July 27-29, as well as the separate three-day Jeep Jamboree Aug. 3-5. Cost for the latter two trips is $315 per person.
According to the event's Web site, www.jeepersjamboree.com, more than 34,000 vehicles and 100,000 people have hit the Rubicon Trail for this event over the last 54 years. During that time, the Trail -- originally forged as a stagecoach trail in the 1800s -- has been maintained by four-wheeling participants and their clubs specifically for this purpose.
Although another popular four-wheel-drive event, the Sierra Trek, recently was canceled because of fire danger, the Rubicon Trail event is not on U.S. Forest Service land and "it would take a lot before they would close" the trail, says Spillers.
While participants may be as young as 14, anyone under 18 years of age must have a signed release from parents or legal guardian. And there must be at least one person over 18 in each vehicle, as well as the minimum of two people per vehicle.
There are photos of past events, registration forms and all sorts of information about the event at
www.jeepersjamboree.com. For more information: (530) 333-4771.
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By David Watts Barton - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, July 19, 2007
Story appeared in SCENE section, Page E8
