SideXSide Action - April 2008 - (Page 25)

tanks for run-off water. With the mountain ranges reaching over 7,000 feet in elevation, there are a series of level areas in key spots where run-off water can be easily captured. Right now they are not building new dirt tanks; they are working on 30-40 year-old tanks that need cleaning out and White Tail run across our path as we new support walls. The walls are especially impormake our way from spring to spring. tant so that they can maintain a good amount of the ability to get through the water before spilling over and down snow as a priority, he choose to the next tank. the Ranger. The heater pums in warm air and the windshield A couple hours into our exploration, and doors keep the cold air out. we turned a corner and came upon a His only gripe is that it seems big yellow dozer. It was amazing, to have a low center of gravity, just sitting out in the middle of which makes it a little harder nowhere. Yet, we were in a very civigoing over all of the rocks in lized area well, at least in the animal the Black Rock Desert. He community. Where Bob was working was explaining this one comthere were both a newly revitalized plaint about the time we hit a spring tank and a dirt tank that was big rock, at which he smiled almost complete. By then it was and quickly added, “…but it has time for lunch, so we sat there and really good skid plates!” All in appreciated the quiet while we ate all, he prefers the Ranger over the sandwiches and chips the cooks a truck ride any day. had put together earlier that morning. After we finished eating, Bob took to On the way back to the ranch I his dozer and I took to the trail by asked about the “olden days” foot. and the cowboys that still reside at the ranch. Today, the I wandered around a little bit, making cowboys head out every day my way up a hill – until I swear I just after breakfast. They only heard a rattlesnake. I high-tailed it have 350 heads of cattle to back to the Ranger where I remained handle right now, an easy day. until Bob was finished for the day. This winter they are expecting He called it a short day so he could to care for over 1,000 head. take me on one of his favorite down The BLM allotment that they hills on the way back to the house. lease and maintain only allows for so many cattle per area at a By this time, I had been riding in the time. While the cattle are on Polaris Ranger 6x6 for about four this land, they graze on the hours and had gotten a good feel for bunch grass and need water the ride – very plush. The bench from the various springs or seat is a lot more comfortable than spring boxes that the Kudrnas most bucket seats and the third axle team maintain. Each range allowed for a lot smoother ride. The can only support so many 7third axle has become very imporday-a-week eaters, which is the tant, allowing Bob to pack more challenge that they face every weight and, during the winter day to improve. months, it has proven itself when engaging into 6x6 in the snow. This As we descended from 7,000 unit is in 4x4 all the time, until the feet to 4,400 feet where the 6x6 engages the mid-axle. Bob is ranch is located, my tour and moving into his third winter using his adventure slowly came to an Polaris, and with a cab, a heater, and The History of the Soldier Meadows Ranch is very rich, and its record begins with the visit by John C. Fremont and his men who camped by the springs located at the north end of the ranch on New Year’s Eve 1843. Carrying Fremont's report, Jesse Applegate and a party of 15 men set out from Oregon and reached Soldier Meadows on July 11, 1846. Applegate's party intended to establish an alternate route to Oregon from the California Trail. Thereafter, pioneers traveled the Lassen/Applegate trail (from 1846 through the 1860’s) which passed through the Black Rock Desert, known as the most dangerous and desolate stretch of the Trail. Rich In History In 1865, Camp McGarry was established at the location of the current Ranch Headquarters. It was a U.S. Army winter camp with the mission of protecting traveling pioneers and freight wagon trains from Indian attack. Stone buildings and stables remain standing from the U.S. Army camp at Soldier Meadows Headquarters and at the Summit Lake Indian Reservation. The army abandoned Camp McGarry in 1871. In the 1870’s, various small ranches were started and operated by individuals throughout the area over the next several years until the 1880’s when cattle barons Miller and Lux took control of the region by acquiring all the other smaller ranches. They called the region “Black Rock Ranch.” Growing and cutting hay for winter feed, raising horses, cattle and sheep, the Black Rock region was a part of Miller and Lux’s Pacific Livestock Company which was formed in 1887. The Miller and Lux Pacific Livestock Company became the largest Ranching operation in the Western United States. However, after the deaths of Miller and Lux, in 1926 the heirs began selling their Nevada holdings. With a series of different owners for the next several decades, Soldier Meadows was utilized for raising various crops with irrigated farm land, raising cattle, sheep, and other animals. Newer buildings and facilities were added, even an air strip. The open range turned into a closed range when BLM started taking note of the area. In the 1990’s R.C. Roberts established the guest ranch operation. And most recently, the ranch was acquired by Jim and Kathy Kudrnas. The Kudrnas' love the area and are dedicated to returning the Soldier Meadows area to once again be one of the finest ranches in the State of Nevada. WWW.SIDEXSIDEACTION.COM 25 http://WWW.SIDEXSIDEACTION.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SideXSide Action - April 2008

SideXSide Action - April 2008 Contents Mailbox News Tips & Tricks Race Interview Next: Bobcat Soldier Meadows Win a Rhino CORR Season Wrap Up Race Year in Review Built For It: Rath Racing Prowler Product Review Shock Adjustments Tech: CDI & ECU Boxes Company Spotlight: Legend Off-Road Wheel Buyers Guide SXS Shoot-Out Gallery Shot New Products On The Go Photo

SideXSide Action - April 2008

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