DIABLO 4 WHEELERS JEEP CLUB

CONCORD, CALIF.

CELEBRATION 57 YEARS OF WHEELING

By Jenny Ward

On September 20, 1964, Ralph Sears and Stan Johnson got together and initial plans were drawn up for the organization of a family 4-wheel drive club. 

After a few meetings, tentative by-laws were drafted and contacts were made with local 4-wheel drive owners. The first official club run was held on November 21ST AND 22ND, 1964 at Hull Meadow Area, south of Long Barn, California. There were four families present. 

By 1965 the Club grew to a membership of 14 families. They had completed Club Incorporation procedures, became Members of the California Association of 4WD Clubs and adopted the Club logo and shirts. The founding members wanted make a difference and get involved in community service activities, as well as enjoy and protect our natural resources.

After 57 years, the Club has still held the original goals set by the Founders and is still going strong with over 75 members. The Club shares camaraderie, fun recreational and responsible wheeling with others as well as service to our community. D4W is a collective voice for the continued access to our forests, deserts and back country. The Club is a Member of the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive. We support Cal4Wheel by being on the committee for Winter-Fun-Fest as well as Sierra Trek. Each year the Club makes donations to the Cal4Wheel Legal Fund as well as their General Fund which helps to keep off roading alive..

Diablo 4 Wheelers has been involved in the Adopt-a-Trail Program with the Tahoe National Forest for the last 35 years. The Club has maintained the 18 mile Bear Valley Loop in the Tahoe National Forest outside of Truckee. Many clubs have these relationships with local forest managers to help minimize environmental impact and keep existing trails open. There cannot be a price put on this kind of volunteerism and how much money it saves the U. S. Forest in keep existing trails open. 

The Club also adopted the Sardine Fire Lookout located above the Bear Valley Trail. History of our parks and conservation is very important. The Club had many work  parties to help restore the lookout so that others can see, enjoy it and. History of our parks and conservation is very important to the Club. Michael Baldrica retired Archeologist for the Sierraville Ranger District and the Sardine Lookout project coordinator, stated that these folks really worked hard by putting their skills to use to help repair a historic structure that was built in the 1930’s and saved the Forest Service lots of money. It was a project of love!! The lookout can be rented out by contacting the Sierraville Ranger Station in Sierraville.

Each summer the Club works with the City of Sacramento and the Nejedly Family in helping transport kids with special needs in and out of camping trips into Lake Hawley. and they also sponsor a child to be able to attend this weeklong camp. 

For the last 6 years the Club became involved with the Salvation Army at Thanksgiving by helping to put together 450 boxes filled with food staples to be picked up by those in need for their Thanksgiving meal. The Club also donated a pallet of dressing that was provided in the boxes to go along with their turkey. 

During the year the Club does a variety of runs from mild to wild, as they say. The Club has monthly trips, sometimes two or more. We have get-togethers such as dinners, BBQ’s and of course, each year we have our Christmas party. Seasonally, we have safety clinics, vehicle inspections, snow runs. We also help out with 4 Wheel Parts March Madness Sale every year at the Oakland store as well as the Jeep/Truck Fest in San Mateo hosted by 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers.

Our D4W Membership consist of families as well as single individuals. Our members range from teens to the “seasoned citizens”. We have very experienced as well as “newbie off roaders”. The Club has many different vehicles, from stock to extreme rock crawlers, which includes Jeeps, trucks, Broncos, Nissans, Toyotas. You name it, we have them in our Club. If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you are welcome to join up with us. Depending on your skill and rig, you can pick and choose your runs. Whether you want to run the Rubicon, Fordyce Trail, go on snow runs or some of our SUV runs, we have something for everyone.  We have over 20 members who are now Amateur Radio operators. The use of the Amateur Radio, also known as Ham Radio, has become very important for our ability to communicate on the trail as well as getting emergency help if needed.

Diablo 4 Wheelers, is based in Concord, California. The Club meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month at Fuddruckers, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord, California . For more information go to the Diablo 4 Wheelers Web Site www.Diablo4Wheelers.Com or contact Jim Flatt (jimflatt@aol.com).