Haven't seen this here yet. TDS Desert Safari Update!!

[92 Green YJ]

Can I get a sticky please?

This year is to be the 45th annual Tierra Del Sol Desert Safari. The even has traditionally been held at the Truckhaven hills across the highway from the Salton Sea in Salton City California.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED FOR THIS YEAR!! due to legal complications arising from the area.

the following is copied directly from the Tierra Del Sol clubs website in regards to the event changes this year and what is going on in Truckhaven.

Because of complications (ETC) the Safari had to be moved to the Ocotillo Wells SVRA

A PERMIT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR THE SAFARI TO TAKE PLACE AT OCOTILLO WELLS SVRA MARCH 2-4

CAMPSITE: NOTE: New Location!! Located on Main Street and Hwy 78 in Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area.
There’s lots of room and easy access for campers, motorhomes, and trailers. Please observe the signs. Bring your own firewood and
drinking water. Additional supplies are available nearby in Ocotillo Wells. Coin-operated showers are available near the SVRA Ranger
Station.
FRIDAY: Registration STARTS at 12:00 pm, Closes at 10 pm. Safety Check and Registration location is at TDS Safari Site.
SATURDAY: Registration reopens at 6:30 am. Run will leave from campsite, promptly at 8 am for a trip in Sandy Washes,
Rocky Canyons and Scenic Ridges of the best 4-Wheelin’ in Ocotillo Wells. Easier routes are marked “Green” to by-pass some of the
harder/steeper trails. Radio Check Points throughout the run are on Official Use Only CB Channel 14 (Please!).
SUNDAY: Trips start at 9 am. The Sunday Rough Run will provide some of the best 4-wheelin’ of the weekend. The trail will
not be marked. It will be a follow the leader run, so be sure to watch out for the vehicle behind you.
NOTE:
Due to construction, Hwy 78 east of S2 will be limited to one-way traffic until 4 p.m. Both lanes will be open on the weekend.


Information on the purchase of Truckhaven:

In September 2006, approximately 4,000 acres of Freeman Trust properties were acquired by the California State Parks Off Highway Motorized Recreation Division, in an area commonly known as Truckhaven. In addition to the Freeman Properties, the greater Truckhaven/Desert Cahuilla area includes State Lands Commission lands (approximately 6,000 acres) and additional public and private properties, covering approximately 15,000 acres in total.

The Truckhaven/Desert Cahuilla area lies north of San Diego County Road S22 and west of State Route 86, adjacent and east of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and north of Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area. Future management of the property will be determined by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, based on an open and public planning process that would determine the most appropriate use of the property.

The land consists of alluvial soils consisting of coarse sand in broad washes and mud hills composed of silt and gravel deposits with a predominate vegetation type of Sonoran Desert scrub, including four Native California fan palm oases.

The entire area is approximately 90 square miles of desert land that has been used for motorized recreation for over 50 years. To the west lies the 670,000 plus acre Anza Borrego Desert State Park. To the north is the Torres Martinez Indian Reservation.

From a historical perspective, that region was slated for development during the 1950’s. About that time, off highway recreation began growing in popularity. Truckhaven was found to be an ideal location for the emerging 4x4 recreation market. In 1964, the Tierra del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club of San Diego began hosting their annual Desert Safari event in the Truckhaven area. At Desert Safari 2006, 1551 participating vehicles were registered with an estimated overall attendance of over 16,000 people.

Currently, the Desert Safari is one of three major events held in the region. In addition to the major off-highway recreation events, the area is a popular destination from October through April for OHV recreationists from throughout southern California and Arizona. On any given weekend, visitation can exceed 500 vehicles and over 2,000 people. On holiday weekends, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Years, visitation can exceed 5,000 recreationists.

The surrounding communities of Desert Shores, West Shores, and Salton City are retirement communities. Over the years, motorized recreation visitation to the region has provided a significant economic input to the local communities. For example, the West Shores Senior Center hosts a Sunday morning breakfast for the Tierra del Sol Desert Safari participants. From that one event, they earn enough income to pay their annual operating expenses.

The local community supports recreation activities because the recreationists support the local community. Without recreation, many local businesses would not be open. Motorized recreation is an important economic event for the local community. One of the major events held in the region is the Treasure Trails, which is hosted by local community service groups such as the Desert Shores Veterans of Foreign Wars, and draws over 600 registered participants. A third major event is hosted by the California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) and annually attracts over 500 registered vehicles.

Together, these events, plus the seasonal weekend visitation, support gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores in the region. Without the economic stimulus from recreation, the region would have trouble meeting local citizen needs.

Truckhaven (or Freeman Property) is now in the OHMVR Division property inventory. An interim management plan is being developed under which the property will be managed jointly by the State Parks' management teams from both Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area. State Parks will facilitate a deliberative public planning process that will use science and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to arrive at appropriate land use decisions. The process will engage all concerned groups and individuals to insure that the management plan addresses the many features and potential uses for the property. The effort is expected to take several years and involve archeological, geological, and biological studies. In addition, a comprehensive survey of existing routes will be conducted. The final management plan will govern the use of the area.

Truckhaven was first identified by the OHMVR Division as a potential key component of the state OHMVR program in 2001. Over the ensuing years, the growth of recreation and housing developments have added urgency to setting aside the area as “open space” that protects the area from development and provides for recreation opportunity.

The OHMVR Division, lead by Deputy Director Daphne Greene, has contributed countless hours to bringing this project to its current stage on behalf of the recreation community. Deputy Director Greene and her staff are to be commended for their efforts to acquire this property. It will be a key component of the state-wide OHMVR program for the future.



This event has become the second largest off-road event in the country after the Moab Easter Jeep Safari. People come from all over the country and the world to attend this event. It is coming up fast so I thought it would be a good idea to help the members of the Tierra Del Sol 4wheeldrive club get the word out. More information about the vent can be found at the club website here
http://tds4x4.com/safariinfo.htm

[doug_1994]

I know, but was that your jeep in 4W&OR April of '07 doin' the tube fenders?

Doug

[92 Green YJ]

Originally Posted by doug_1994

I know, but was that your jeep in 4W&OR April of '07 doin' the tube fenders?

Doug

Yep, thats my baby. a note on that, the writer credits are messed up. Somehow one of the other freelancers names got on there as opposed to mine. there will be a retraction in next months issue. it should say written and photographed mby Scott Helstrom and my roomate who somehow is on there, Kevin Atherton.

for those who haven't seen it yet, Page 80 of the scurrent issue of Petersen's 4Wheel & Offroad.
And I'm the guy in the pics welding and painting

[ErikJordan]

stuck for the time being.

[GroundClearance]

Yarr, that sucks that it's not a truckhaven, but I'll still be there!

[92 Green YJ]

Well those of you heading out there, be sure to swing by our camp to say hello and grab a cold one

[GroundClearance]

Will do

[doug_1994]

Originally Posted by 92 Green YJ

Yep, thats my baby.

Cool deal man.

Doug

[cb19950]

Originally Posted by 92 Green YJ

Well those of you heading out there, be sure to swing by our camp to say hello and grab a cold one

your my IDOL