VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 3
APR - JUN 2024
EDITOR:
PATTI ZAPPAROLLI
Desert Wranglers Leadership
Executive Board
President 📩 Patti Zapparolli
Wizard of Meetup 📩 Greg Jaworski
Committee Chairs
Vice-President 📩 Jackie Smiley
Secretary 📩 Jai Yee
Treasurer 📩 Dave Traver
Board of Directors
Boss of the Trail 📩 Keith Merrill
Web Guru 📩 Shane Hale
The How-To Guy 📩 Steve Zapparolli
Dude of Overlanding 📩 Brian Solomon
Mohave Guy 📩 Bill Inglehart
Events Gal 📩 Almarie Wells
BLM Peacemaker 📩 Kevin Acuff
Membership Marshal 📩 Kirk Rowe
The Badge Dude 📩 Eric Nix
WHERE DID WE GO?
Into Darkness - Mt Potosi after Dark
On Friday night, May 3rd, Barbara & Kevin led 14 Jeeps on their first "official" night run of the year. We met and aired down at the usual spots just before sunset. Barbara got a taste of running point as she shared the driving duties in her new rig, Jewel. The road up Potosi was very dusty, so we kept the pace down to keep it safe for all. During a scouting run for a possible new route earlier in the year, we discovered a side trail named Dean Rd
that we decided to add to the loop. About halfway, this trail is a waterfall that adds a short, slightly off-camber level 3-4 rock climb to the adventure. We all made it safely up the waterfall with one major wave from the driver's side of Robert's Jeep! The rest of the trail was smooth and relaxing. Several witnessed the Starlink satellites as they passed overhead on a clear, cloudless night.
There was not too much wildlife along the way. A couple of Mule Deer observed us from a distance with just some eye glow and a slight silhouette visible, and several jackrabbits wanted to run along with us at times. We stopped at the top of the mini roller coaster for another gaze at the stars before continuing onward to Kingston Rd, and our air-up spot at the park in Goodsprings. Thank you to all who attended!
Bunkerville Choo Choo
The next stop, and our lunch spot, was Keyhole Rock. It is an archway in the rocks a short hike from the parking spot and a must see when running this trail. A series of descents and climbs through some very picturesque mountains brings us to the small slot canyon with the trail's only obstacle, a small waterfall to climb. Climbing up and out of the canyon, there are a few more scenic vistas and a turnoff to Gold Butte.
The rest of the trail is simple and allows us to see the areas ravaged by fire some time ago and the desert's rejuvenation ability. We proceeded down the trail to Gold Butte Rd, where a short drive on pavement brought us to our air-up spot. The run was uneventful aside from "Jack at the Back" having a TPMS sensor issue once we hit the 15, requiring a quick stop to ensure everything was OK. Thank you all for coming out!
On Sunday, May 12th, Barbara and Kevin led 15 Jeeps on a very scenic trail with an iconic namesake: The Bunkerville Choo Choo. This trail was chosen on a whim and during the pre-run, our good friend Jack said it was one of the most scenic trails he had ever been on, and he was the first to sign up for the official run! We met at the Sinclair Station in Mesquite and took the short drive to the air-down area. This is a relatively easy trail, but the scenery is amazing. The views back towards.
Mesquite and of the mountains behind the trail, are breathtaking. Our first break spot was the Bunkerville Choo Choo, a large water tank the ranchers set up years ago that resembles a vintage steam locomotive. It is a cool site out in the middle of nowhere.
On June 20th, Jackie and Patti hosted a fantastic Ladies Run that brought together a great group of women for a day of adventure and fun. We started our day at Firelight Barn, where everyone gathered, excited and ready to hit the trails.
Before hitting the trails, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Firelight Barn. The spread included mouth-watering pulled pork, baked beans, fresh salads, and a delightful dessert. To top it off, we were treated to a lively musical western show that set the perfect tone for our day.
We then tackled the stunning Kodachrome and the adventurous Lava Butte trails.
Night Train - The Bunkerville Choo Choo at night
On Friday, June 21st, Barb and Kevin led a group of 9 Jeeps back on the Choo Choo. To change things up and eliminate a couple of protruding rocks along the way from becoming an issue, we did it from South to North. Barb also drove Jewel from start to finish on this one. We met at the Pilot truck stop in Mesquite. Unfortunately, for one Jeep in the group, a ruptured radiator ended the trail adventure there in the parking lot before it had a chance to begin. With a tow truck on the way to safely retrieve the wounded Jeep, we departed for the Gold Butte Rd lot to air down.
We made a couple of stops to gaze at the stars on the way, and the full moon made for some interesting shapes and colors on the walls of the mountains. While fun, this trail must be run in
the daytime to appreciate it truly. We had one additional issue along the way. While we stopped to stargaze, one rig was shut off and failed to start. Scott saved the day with his jumbo-sized jump box as we got the rig running and made it safely to the air-up spot. This was a long night, with us not getting to the air-up spot until @ midnight. Barb and Kevin walked in the door of the house in Mtns Edge @ 1:45 am. Thank you all for coming out on another fun night run.
Lady Wranglers meet Mama Wranglers and some dirt
Kodachrome offered us incredible, colorful landscapes that made for some great photo ops and a beautiful drive. It was awesome to see the experienced drivers sharing tips and helping those who were newer to off-roading.
Lava Butte added some extra thrills with its rugged terrain and unique geological features. The sense of accomplishment was evident as we navigated the obstacles together, making it a perfect mix of challenge and enjoyment.
A big shoutout to Firelight Barn for hosting our meetup and giving us a warm start to our day. The Ladies Run was a blast, celebrating not just off-roading but also the amazing community we have. We can't wait for more adventures like this!
★ Join The Team!
Could you serve as as our Industry Liaison, who would seek out new sponsors for the club? Or help with our social platforms as our Social Media Specialist? We always welcome new Trail Leaders as well. If you're ready to join the team, email us if interested!
Here’s what you missed
WHERE ARE WE GOING NEXT?
Carpenter Canyon pre-run | APR 8
📣 DW Leadership Meeting - Virtual 🖥 All Members welcome! | APR 15
Beginner's 101 Training Run for Level 1 Members, Mt Potosi to Good Springs | APR 20
Mormon Well: for the sake of getting some dirt therapy during the week! | APR 23
📌📌 DW General Meeting ⚙️ Plus EDU: Back to Off-Road Basics ⚙️ | APR 25
Tacos and Crawlers Jeep Event | APR 26
Bunkerville Choo Choo *** Pre-Run*** | APR 27
101 Bitter Springs Scenic Training Run | MAY 11
Stop the Bleed Live Classroom Training | June 27
It’s too hot!! Let’s do a night run. Wheeler Pass, my way. Pahrump to Cold Creek | JUL 13th
Lake Mojave Heat beater ***Beginner friendly*** | July 15th
Double Canyon and Warshield Canyon | July 20th
General Meeting | JUL 25th
1-day Primm to Death Valley Junction on the Old Traction Road Recreational Route | JUL 27th
Goldfield Days with Trails | AUG 3
Mt Sterling Trail - wellness check for Go Mt. Charleston | AUG TBA!!
📣 August DW Leadership Meeting 📣 | Virtual | All Members welcome! | AUG 12th
Super Moon Night Run: Mormon Well Backwards | AUG 17th
Wanna be the Lead, Mid or Tail? Virtual | AUG 19th
Beginner's 101 Training Run for Level 1 Members, Mt Potosi to Good Springs | SEP 7
HEADS UP MULTI-DAY TRIP > Escalante "Trident" Scenic Road Trip!! | Sept 25, 26, 27
Pre Run - Harris Springs Road Mt Charleston | SEP TBA
Pre Run - Old Spanish Trail | SEP TBA
“Get on the wait list! RSVP’s change constantly and Meetup will move you to “Going” automatically!”
Must Do Club Trails
Event Activity History
119
79
TRAIL BRIEFS | ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEWS
DW Writes Stuff!
Check out our latest Words of Wisdom and Announcements
Learn a thing or two with our latest Training & Education Articles
In Other Wrangler News
Presidents Report
2024 STATS
2024 STATS
Active Members
Meetup Events
299
79
Facebook Followers
YouTube Subscribers
1568
198
Educational Sessions and Guest Speakers
Our recent general meetings have featured valuable sessions such as a Back to Basics series, a Stop the Bleed presentation, and insights from the Southern Nevada Conservancy and SNORR. Looking ahead, we have scheduled speakers from Tread Lightly and the American Red Cross to discuss CPR and First Aid. We are also working on securing representatives from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for future meetings. Additionally, we are now live-streaming our general meetings on Facebook, making it easier for all members to participate and stay informed.
Mission-Driven and Charitable Activities
We are proud of our ongoing commitment to mission-driven and charitable activities, which include:
101 Training Classes: Offering essential off-roading skills for beginners.
Stop the Bleed: Providing critical first aid training for emergency situations.
Project 150 Charity Drive: Supporting homeless high school students in Southern Nevada.
Southern Nevada Conservancy: Partnering to promote conservation and education in our region. Southern Nevada Conservancy
Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association: Preserving the heritage and culture of the Mojave Desert. MDHCA
National Desert Wildlife Preserve: Supporting wildlife conservation efforts. NDWP
Blue Ribbon Coalition: Advocating for responsible recreation and land use. Blue Ribbon Coalition
Desert Balloon Project: Join in and help by picking up any and all mylar balloons that you may see along hiking paths, mountain bike trails, off-road trails, etc. Desert Balloon Project
Tread Lightly: Encouraging responsible off-roading and environmental stewardship. Tread Lightly
SNORR: Supporting off-road recovery and rescue. SNORR
Thank you all for your dedication and passion for the Desert Wranglers Jeep Club. Let's continue to build on our successes and make the upcoming months even more exciting and impactful. Stay safe, stay engaged, and let's keep the spirit of adventure alive!
Happy Trails!
Patti Zapparolli
President, Desert Wranglers Jeep Club
2nd Quarter 2024 Review
Greetings Desert Wranglers!
As we wrap up the last three months, I'm excited to share the progress and activities we've achieved since the beginning of April. Your support and participation have been incredible, and together, we've made significant strides in enhancing our club's experiences and offerings.
General Meeting Agenda Enhancements
We've revitalized our General Meeting Agenda by reintroducing our educational series and welcoming guest speakers. These sessions have been informative and engaging, providing valuable insights into various aspects of off-roading and safety. Additionally, we've allocated time for introducing our leadership team, new members, and guests, fostering a stronger sense of community and inclusivity.
Increased Visibility and Engagement
To keep everyone informed and engaged, we've started posting our leadership meetings on Meetup and our general meetings on Facebook. Our presence on Facebook and YouTube has seen substantial growth over the past few months, expanding our reach and community interactions. Thank you for your active participation!
Active Quarter with 39 Events
This last quarter, we successfully hosted 39 events, showcasing our club's enthusiasm and commitment to off-roading adventures. As we head into summer, we're planning some exciting night runs and early morning rides to beat the heat, which can reach triple digits up to 115 degrees. Remember to stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing, and always carry emergency supplies when hitting the trails in such high temperatures.
Treasurer's Report
Recent Expenditures
Door Prizes
PO Box Rental
Facility Rental
MeetUp Renewal
Website Fees
Reporting Period |
MAR 28-Jun 27 2024
$8,507.18
TOTAL CASH END |
$1.334.58
MEMBER DUES |
Special Notes:
Dues subscription payments from MeetupPro are being transferred into the Club checking account on a monthly basis. New Memberships and Renewal fund transfers are as follows:
$610.74 Apr 2024
$407.16 May 2024
$316.68 Jun 2024
Income from trail badge and promotional item sales totaled $713.58
Major purchases this period include PO Box renewal, website fees and Meetup renewal, and general meeting and office supplies
Donations totaling $550.00 to Tread Lightly and the BlueRibbon Coalition
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Current Period Notes:
All of our financial accounts have been entered into Quicken.
The checking account has been reconciled.
Copies of the Quicken account reconciliation reports are available by request.
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2024 Notes: Our State of Nevada Registration fee has been paid for 2024.
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2023 Notes: We have filed the club federal tax return for 2022 and, by law, made it accessible on our website under Downloads & Links.
MONTHLY GENERAL CLUB MEETINGS
@ THE FRATERNAL ORDER
OF THE EAGLES
1601 E Washington Ave
Las Vegas, NV
The DW Club enjoys the spacious hospitality of a fraternal lodge every last Thursday from 6-8pm!
Conveniently located
Ample, fenced in, parking lot.
Spacious meeting/banquet hall
Bar/kitchen
Game room
Out-door yard w BBQ kitchen.
Menu offers a wide selection of entrees (with sides) for under $10!
Members are encouraged to invite family and friends to come and check us out. Children and those under 21 are welcome in the banquet/mtg room and the playrooms in the back. The Bar is restricted to 21 and over. For details about an upcoming general meeting please RSVP (required) on Meetup.
Check Out The Buy & Sell Page on Facebook
Check Out The Buy & Sell Page on Facebook
Got something to sell? Looking for something? Check out our FaceBook BUY and SELL page!
Vendors, please contact us for pricing!
The Mid-Gunner
News and Whatever
Is the newsletter of the
Desert Wranglers Jeep Club
Desert Wranglers Jeep Club
2251 N Rampart Blvd, MS 2512
Las Vegas NV 89128
General Email Directory
This is a Level 101 Run. It is a relatively easy ride through the Spring Mountains with hills and mildly uneven, rocky terrain. Some of the land surrounding the road says "private property and no camping". The southeast section opens up into the flat desert and we'll turn south to head toward Goodsprings. This run is approximately 19 miles.