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OREGON TRAIL JAMBOREE
2001
Cottage Grove, Oregon
Caravan
through the early morning mist in the Bohemia Mountains
By
Jack W. Peters, photos by Dan Plaster & Jack W. Peters
Prospectors
and adventure seekers have been exploring the Bohemia Mining District,
ever since gold was discovered there in 1858. Located in the hills south
of Cottage Grove, Oregon, this area is as rugged as it is scenic. The
mountains and hills throughout this area are crisscrossed with trails
and mines that are just calling to be explored. Its no wonder that the
Oregon Trail Jamboree Jeep club converge on this area every August for
their annual weekend event.
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The Oregon
Trail Jamboree is a great event for off-road drivers of all skill levels,
with the whole family encouraged to come along. Guided trail runs take
place all day Friday and Saturday. Participants are split into groups
depending on the degree of difficulty of the trail they will run. The
area has four main trails varying in difficulty to accommodate every skill
level. Everyone can find challenging terrain, from beginners in stock
trucks, to the most experienced drivers, with vehicles equipped to go
almost anywhere.
Dan Starc made the trip from Seattle in his serious
external caged Cherokee
The four
main trails were built for wagon trains during the mining boom. These
trails wind around the mountains over 5,000 feet in elevation, and provide
a great place to develop off-road driving nerve and finesse.
The Utopian Trail,
built in 1870, provides a scenic mountain drive ideal for beginning drivers.
The Noonday Trail,
built in 1892, slightly more challenging, ideal for beginner to intermediate
drivers.
The Oregon-Colorado Trail,
much more advanced, requiring more experienced drivers with better-equipped
trucks.
The Mayflower Trail,
difficult enough to challenge the best drivers and most serious trucks.
Beginners
and pros alike can appreciate the benefit of having a guide to help tackle
unknown trails. New drivers can also improve their abilities with the
confidence of knowing they are surrounded by experienced drivers to assist
in coaching them through the rough stuff. Having guides to help with
needed repairs and getting unstuck, allows new drivers to push themselves
out of their comfort zones, which may be unsafe going at it alone.
 
 
You might
think this is another raging testosterone guy trip, not so, this is a
family event where everyone is encouraged to participate. There was a
number of lady Jeepers who had no problem showing up the guys at any opportunity
they had. The area is so scenic and full of history, there is not a better
way to experience real outdoor four wheeling excitement. What other chance
do you get to go wheeling with friends, then have a picnic lunch at a
historical gold mine?
 
The
Secords allowed visitors to equip themselves with hard hats &
flashlights to explore the working Evening Star Mine.
Ore is brought to this rock crusher and shaker table for gold extraction.
Duck Secord shows Gail a little newly recovered gold.
Steam
boilers left behind from the abandon Annie Mine. The huge steel boilers
where brought in sometime in the late 1800s from Chicago, Illinois.
All this
driving and exploring makes for a big appetite. No problem, back at base
camp participants enjoyed fully catered meals. On Saturday night BBQ
steaks hit the grill as weary and dusty vehicles and their crews returned.
Everyone enjoyed themselves meeting new friends, and sharing stories from
the weekends adventures. What a great way to complete an excellent weekend,
enjoying a steak dinner as the club gave out awards and prizes.
Next years
event will be the Clubs six annual gathering, which promises to be bigger
and better than ever. The club is working on opening up new trails, and
is planning more family adventure fun that might include a little GPS
treasure hunting. Mark your calendars for the weekend of July 25-28,
2002, and see you there! For more information, call David Morris at 541
688-2402, or visit their web site at: http://www.oregontrailjamboree.org.
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Scott
Gordons Samurai shows
off with a wheelie
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Trail guide Andy Laird makes
crossing a rocky stream look easy
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Copyright
© 2002 Jack W. Peters. All Rights Reserved
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