You will need to purchase a sticker
These are good for 3 years and available at the park or any deputy registrar of motor vehicles for $38.50. The park accepts cash or check, but does not make change. They recommend speeding the registration process by getting your sticker ahead of time if possible.
If you are riding along as a passenger in one of the instructor vehicles, you will not need a sticker.
You will not need a helmet. If your vehicle is in sound mechanical condition, you will pass the safety and noise inspections. OHV Regulations
Vehicle Requirements
You will need front and rear tow hooks mounted securely to the frame! Check with your Jeep dealer (or local aftermarket shop) if your vehicle does not already have them. A 2" Receiver is acceptable for a rear tow hook point. If I don't have a safe way to get you unstuck, I have to turn you away at registration/check-in.
Things To Bring
- Trail lunch (Saturday and Sunday)
- Non alcoholic refreshments for the trail. There is NO alcohol on the trails. If you have any alcohol in your vehicle or your body you will be escorted to the gate and dismissed from the trailride. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO REFUNDS.
- Rain gear/hat/sunglasses/bug spray/sun screen
- Jacket/clothes that you don't mind getting dirty (and a change of clothes...you never know)
- Boots/shoes appropriate for hiking (and maybe getting wet or muddy)
- Camera (people won't believe your descriptions of this without pictures to prove it.)
- FRS Radio...they're smaller, cheaper and sound better than CB. It's easy to find 2 packs for under $20.
- Extra batteries
- Full size spare tire (no temporary "donuts")
Optional: (we will discuss all these things as part of the training)
- First Aid Kit
- Tow strap with looped ends (no hooks)
- Tool kit/spare parts
- Fire Extinguisher
- High-Lift Jack
- Winch
- Cell phone
- GPS
- Folding chair (beats sitting on a rock at lunch)
Day of the event
We will meet at the registration area of the park between 8:15 and 8:45 on Saturday morning. I want some time to get people checked in and get their vehicles checked out. You can purchase an OHV sticker from any Department of Motor Vehicles office (where you get your license tabs), or you can purchase a sticker at the park (but plan on taking some extra time to complete the paperwork). We will go over ground rules and basic techniques, and air down our tires to trail pressures (you can air back up right on the premises later that afternoon). We should be ready to roll by 9:15.
We will start out on some easy trails to get a feel for the vehicle off pavement. By noon when we break for lunch we will have stopped a few times to discuss how to handle a variety of different terrains. Throughout the afternoon we will progress to more challenging trails and by 4:00, we will be able to plan our next day. If people want to gather for dinner/breakfast/etc., that's fine.
We will meet back at the registration area at 8:30 the next morning. By lunch we will have gotten some vehicles stuck (and unstuck). We will have seen (and tried) a variety of techniques to keep the vehicles moving through/over/around obstacles. We will have discussed techniques for trailside repair and general maintenance, and talked about safety issues, some environmental issues, future wheeling opportunities, and of course, what went right (and wrong) on our weekend of adventure. By 1:30 Sunday you should be back on the road, homeward bound.
Vehicle Damage
There’s always the possibility of damage to your vehicle when driving offroad. I will provide instruction to minimize the possibility of this and attempt to prevent the damage before it happens, but any vehicle damage is the owner’s responsibility. You will be required to sign a damage waiver before we begin trail riding.
Personal Injury
There’s always the possibility of personal injury when driving offroad. I will provide instruction to minimize the possibility of this also. I have First Aid training and carry a complete First Aid kit in my vehicle. The park has experience getting injured people out efficiently, but you will be required to sign a personal injury waiver before we begin trail riding.
You will need a place to stay
Campgrounds:
Sherwood Forest Campground
Hotels/Motels:
Iron Range Lodging
Additional Information:
http://www.gilbertmn.org/
http://www.ironrange.org/
