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Nature and the machine - Nature and the Machine |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Wednesday, 02 August 2006 |
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Page 1 of 7
 Craig Stumbough, 62, of Fort Collins sits in his metallic blue 1984 Jeep CJ7, called the Meadow Muffin, studying the obstacle in front of him and picking out a line. He reaches over his shoulder for his seat belt.
“When I belt up on the trail, that means I’m nervous,” he said.
But with about 30 years of experience, Stumbough cuts up the mountain through the rocks as if they were tiny mole holes.
Nathanial DeWitt, 11, of Estes Park, sits on the side of the trail in awe. He has been going four-wheeling with his dad, Craig, and the Larimer County Four-wheel drive club, for as long as he can remember.
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Photo by BradleyWakoff /
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A Jeep climbs Spring Creek Trail near Downieville. Members of the Mountaineers, the Larimer County four-wheel-drive club, took the trip on a recent Sunday. |
Nathanial critiques each driver as they climb over the obstacle and he points out the line he would take.
“I’ve heard my dad and so many people talk. I’ve accumulated a little knowledge over the years, but really I know didily-squat,” he said modestly.
Mud flapping in the face, wheels grinding against the rocks — it’s nature vs. manpower on the mountain; or is it? Sure, there’s the rugged image portrayed in commercials of four-wheel-drive vehicles barreling through the wilderness, but four-wheeling in reality is much different for drivers who are serious about the sport.
For many adrenaline fueled off-road drivers, four-wheeling is more than speed and challenges. It’s about being in the great outdoors and working to protect Mother Nature.
“It’s not just about going through mud,” said Shelly Surface, 40, of Lakewood. “Our goal is to find the safest way with the least amount of damage to the trail. Organized groups fight to keep trails open and try to educate others on how to four-wheel responsibly. It takes a lot of us and a combined effort to keep trails open.”
Surface is the president of the Colorado Association of 4-Wheel Drive Clubs Inc. This group oversees many recognized four-wheel-drive clubs across Colorado. Most clubs adopt trails, which involves maintaining that trail by picking up trash, replanting trees and making sure the trail is clearly marked for others.
 Surface encourages people to get involved in a club to be part of the solution.
“Every club has the opportunity to adopt a trail,” said Frank Morgan, the 45-year-old Loveland resident and founder of the Horsetooth 4 Wheelers. “That’s what we do. We want to keep the trails open, but more than that, it’s the right thing to do.”
He said that four-wheeling clubs frequently combat an inaccurate stereotype.
“What happens is high school students and people who don’t know the rules go up there and tear things up,” he said. “Even though we stay on the trail, we get blamed for tearing things up because there are 20 of us. The stereotype is awful because its not accurate at all.”
Most clubs work in conjunction with the forest service.
John Bustos, public affairs officer for the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National forests and Pawnee National Grassland said four-wheeling is not damaging to the land, as long as drivers stay on designated routes.
 “If they get off the designated routes, they can cause erosion, put tracks down that will take a long time to disappear, or literally run over plants and kill them,” he said.
Bustos said one of the four main threats identified by the chief of the Forest Service is the illegal use of off-road vehicles.
“It’s a huge concern and is a national problem,” he said.
The National Forest Service already has a rule in place outlining proper four-wheeling guidelines and, in the next four years, will publish maps showing
designated routes in all national forests.
Depending on the violation, someone could face up to a $5,000 fine and six months in jail for illegal use.
“There is always a bad apple in the bunch, but with more trails closing down, we can’t afford bad apples,” said Kyle Eddy, 33, of Fort Collins.
Eddy is a member of the Mountaineers, the Larimer County four-wheel-drive club, and said the club makes sure to follow the rules when going up the hill.
 During a recent trip on Spring Creek Trail near Downieville, the Mountaineers practiced legal use of the trail every inch of the way. Sixteen vehicles followed bumper after bumper, like a small army.
“I like to see how big the tires are and how high up in the air they get. I have yet to see one flip,” Nathanial said as he watched the vehicles climb.
His dream car is a Hummer H2. Although he still has a few years to go, he is eager to drive.
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Bradley Wakoff |
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Kyle Eddy of Fort Collins piles rocks in front of a Jeep Liberty along the Spring Creek Trail. The pile served as a ramp, allowing the vehicle to make its way up steep rock face. |
“Once I get my permit, I’m going to buy a bunch of stuff for my car,” he said.
But for now, he is content with the sight seeing aspect of four-wheeling, watching the older men do the work.
The clubs unite people who share a common interest. It’s a way to meet new people and make new friends.
“This club has become my family,” Stumbough said. “I’m single and divorced twice, but the only constant in my life is the club.”
He joined the club 23 years ago and is the current Mountaineer president.
Though each club varies, many are family oriented and have members of all ages who go on trips once a month.
“Having older people in the club is what keeps it organized,” Eddy said. “I applaud them for keeping it going and for giving it so much structure.”
Eddy said he used to go four-wheeling on his own, but not anymore after joining the club.
When a rig gets stuck between a rock and a hard place — both figuratively and literally — other members are there to help pull it out.
On the Spring Creek Trail, one after another, the vehicles tackle the tough spots with a few members spotting and cheering outside.
As long as the trails stay open and protected, kids like Nathanial will experience a life-long hobby. Maybe one day Nathanial’s little boy will sit on the side of a trail in awe, watching his dad tackle an obstacle with ease.
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