2010 OCOTILLO WELLS CHARITY DESERT FUN-RUN!

On February 20th, JASPER's Southern California branch held its Second Annual Charity Desert Fun Run for Children's Hospitals. Click here for a photo gallery. A total of $1700 will be donated to each of the following (total $5,100): CHOC Foundation For Children (Children's Hospital of Orange County), Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Rady Children's Hospital (Children's Hospital of San Diego).

The event was open to all off-road vehicles. Participants made the dash in vehicles ranging from motorcycles, quads, jeeps, trucks and buggies. The Poker Run was a 42-mile loop through the Ocotillo Wells Recreational Vehicle Park next to the Salton Sea. Click here for a video.

JASPER Outside Sales Representative Rob Keenan coordinated the event again this year, and laid out the loop with five checkpoints participants had to reach. Each checkpoint took participants by facinating desert scenery and interesting landmarks. The site known as 'Gas Domes' is a volcano-like bubbling pool of gray liquid and mineral rich mud. Another attraction was the 'Pumpkin Patch', a unique landscape of globular sandstone concretions that look like big pumpkins. 'Shell Reef' is a huge reef over 1-million years old with fossilized shells and little sea creatures. 'Devils Slide' is an ancient 200-foot high granite and sand mountaintop with challenging hill climbs and jumps. After all five checkpoints were reached, participants were dealt five cards with the option of purchasing additional cards to make their best poker hand. Various prizes were awarded to the best hands. After the long day, participants were treated to a meal.