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ENLARGE
CISCO GROVE, Calif. — Lisa Kus of Reno, a victim of debilitating muscular dystrophy, said she had been looking forward to this trip in the backcountry since last year, when she joined other members of Disabled Sports USA Far West (DSUSA) on a similar adventure in the high Sierra.
Recently, Kus joined 10 DSUSA colleagues from throughout Northern California and Nevada for a memorable four-wheeling trek hosted by volunteers from the Sacramento-based Sierra Treasure Hunters 4X4 club.
“This trip is a gift for me … a gift to be able to get out and see and enjoy all of this beauty,” said Kus, 46, who spends the majority of her time confined to a wheel chair. “I am deeply indebted to the Sierra Treasure Hunters, who made this trip possible for all of us. We could never have been up here sharing in this experience without their help.”
Dick Shannon of Auburn, a member of the Sierra Treasure Hunters club, had the privilege of sharing a seat in his Toyota Land Cruiser rig with Kus.
“She could not stop talking about how beautiful this country is and how thankful she was to be able to join us,” said Shannon. “It was certainly a great feeling to share our love of four-wheeling and the great outdoors with these wonderful people. I always feel rewarded when I am able to provide someone with this opportunity.”
The off-road adventure began at the Cisco Grove Campground, a picturesque setting with large pine trees and a fast-flowing river in the Tahoe National Forest. DSUSA members were given their rig assignments and provided with a trip overview by Brian Sheckler, a DSUSA staff member.
With everyone safely buckled in, the contingent headed up a boulder-strewn trail to the Signal Peak cutoff. Once there, the volunteer drivers engaged their rigs into four-wheel drive to complete the journey to the top of the mountain.
Will Corbett, immediate past president of the four-wheel drive club, provided the guests with a briefing of Signal Peak and its past importance.
He explained that for many years, there was only a single railroad track going east and west. It was the responsibility of a railroad observer on Signal Peak to spot an oncoming train and move it to a spur when another train was passing by.
“Summer and winter sports are a vehicle to a positive self-image and achieving attitude,” said Doug Pringle, a disabled Vietnam veteran and the president of Disabled Sports USA Far West. “For this trip, our organization teamed with our four-wheel drive volunteers to provide disabled individuals with the opportunity to stay active and participate in sports despite their disabilities.”
Jeff Huth of Rio Linda, who has cerebral palsy, said it was a ride of a lifetime.
“I really liked my driver, Rory Huber, who drove me through a snow bank and found all of the big rocks on the trail,” said Huth.
The group descended Signal Peak and drove another 10 miles to Lola Montez Lake, where everyone shared in a sumptuous lunch and shared stories about their adventure.
“I thank the Lord above for allowing me to be out here in this beautiful country and sharing the day with fellow disabled sports members and these terrific volunteers,” said Kyle Churley of Carson City. “This was my second year in a row to ride along with John (Hargis), and he is a great and safe driver.”
Recently, Kus joined 10 DSUSA colleagues from throughout Northern California and Nevada for a memorable four-wheeling trek hosted by volunteers from the Sacramento-based Sierra Treasure Hunters 4X4 club.
“This trip is a gift for me … a gift to be able to get out and see and enjoy all of this beauty,” said Kus, 46, who spends the majority of her time confined to a wheel chair. “I am deeply indebted to the Sierra Treasure Hunters, who made this trip possible for all of us. We could never have been up here sharing in this experience without their help.”
Dick Shannon of Auburn, a member of the Sierra Treasure Hunters club, had the privilege of sharing a seat in his Toyota Land Cruiser rig with Kus.
“She could not stop talking about how beautiful this country is and how thankful she was to be able to join us,” said Shannon. “It was certainly a great feeling to share our love of four-wheeling and the great outdoors with these wonderful people. I always feel rewarded when I am able to provide someone with this opportunity.”
The off-road adventure began at the Cisco Grove Campground, a picturesque setting with large pine trees and a fast-flowing river in the Tahoe National Forest. DSUSA members were given their rig assignments and provided with a trip overview by Brian Sheckler, a DSUSA staff member.
With everyone safely buckled in, the contingent headed up a boulder-strewn trail to the Signal Peak cutoff. Once there, the volunteer drivers engaged their rigs into four-wheel drive to complete the journey to the top of the mountain.
Will Corbett, immediate past president of the four-wheel drive club, provided the guests with a briefing of Signal Peak and its past importance.
He explained that for many years, there was only a single railroad track going east and west. It was the responsibility of a railroad observer on Signal Peak to spot an oncoming train and move it to a spur when another train was passing by.
“Summer and winter sports are a vehicle to a positive self-image and achieving attitude,” said Doug Pringle, a disabled Vietnam veteran and the president of Disabled Sports USA Far West. “For this trip, our organization teamed with our four-wheel drive volunteers to provide disabled individuals with the opportunity to stay active and participate in sports despite their disabilities.”
Jeff Huth of Rio Linda, who has cerebral palsy, said it was a ride of a lifetime.
“I really liked my driver, Rory Huber, who drove me through a snow bank and found all of the big rocks on the trail,” said Huth.
The group descended Signal Peak and drove another 10 miles to Lola Montez Lake, where everyone shared in a sumptuous lunch and shared stories about their adventure.
“I thank the Lord above for allowing me to be out here in this beautiful country and sharing the day with fellow disabled sports members and these terrific volunteers,” said Kyle Churley of Carson City. “This was my second year in a row to ride along with John (Hargis), and he is a great and safe driver.”
Disabled Sports USA Far West
For more information on Disabled Sports USA Far West, contact Brian Sheckler at brian@disabledsports.net or visit their website at www.disabledsportsusa.com.
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