First Annual C.R.E.E.P. Run

On Saturday, February 23, 2008, in Camp Verde, any casual passerby would have wondered what a mismatched gathering of 4x4's could possibly be doing together. With everything from Absolute Offroad’s beefy Jeep Wrangler with 37-inch tall tires, to Lance Blair’s shocking blue Toyota FJCruiser festooned with excursion equipment, to Jeff Marshall's factory-condition Nissan Xterra, even seasoned 4-wheelers would have to admit that this was a highly unlikely gathering of vehicles and drivers.

They all came together for the First Annual C.R.E.E.P. Run, an educational trail run, hosted by the Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition. "C.R.E.E.P." stands for "Club Run Ethics, Etiquette, and Protocol." Organized and led by veteran trail guide and Sedona Jeep School owner, Nena Barlow, this run was developed to teach 4x4 recreational users about trail ethics and etiquette, including how to conduct group runs and how to behave on public land.

Representatives attended from 4x4 clubs all over the state, including the Arizona Virtual Jeep Club, Copper State Cruisers, Xterra Owners Club, Central Arizona Jeepers, and the Land Rover Owners Club. The AZOHVC hosted, with sponsorships provided by Sedona Jeep School, Sedona Offroad, Absolute Offroad and Farabee Jeep Rentals.

The group gathered at a trailhead in the Prescott National Forest near Camp Verde, where trip preparations were discussed, as well as how to behave around cattle and water sources. All attendees received information packets to take home, including information on club run etiquette and a copy of Tread Lightly's 4-Wheel Drive Guidebook.

One of the goals of the AZOHVC is to promote shared trail access and respect the rights of other public land users, so presentations on the trail included stops at cattle tanks, corrals and mining claims to discuss the do's and don'ts in these areas. Discussions also covered such necessary trail use basics as how to park and conduct bathroom breaks.

The Event Coordinator, Nena Barlow, says "Good land use ethics are not difficult or complicated if you just remember to take nothing, and leave nothing. Be considerate of everyone else on the trail, and leave as little evidence of your passing as possible."

In addition to the trail presentations, there were just enough rocks and hills to make the driving interesting. Crystal clear skies rewarded participants with spectacular views of the Verde Valley and the snow-capped San Francisco Peaks in the distance.

Karen Havird reported "I had an awesome time and it was great to meet so many very nice and helpful 4-wheelers!"

Jeff Marshall shared "The focus on etiquette, trail and land use issues, safety, and a little bit of local history was the perfect blend of education and fun! I would highly recommend their programs for both beginners and seasoned wheelers!"

The result was a fun-filled trip through some beautiful backcountry, and a camaraderie among 4-wheelers who share the same interest of preserving our public lands so that we may continue to enjoy it for generations to come, even if they don't share the same tastes in 4-wheel drive vehicles!

For additional information about Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition events and programs, visit www.AZOHV.org or contact Nena Barlow at (928) 274-0570.