Two Mile Run County Park has so much to offer on its 2,700 acres, and the Oil Valley Jeeps organization is doing its part again this year to showcase the park’s many amenities.
Eric Elliott, the president of Oil Valley Jeeps, says plans are taking shape for the group’s second Ten Mile 4 Two Mile ride scheduled July 16 and 17.
Participants will be able to check out the park’s rock cairns of unknown origin, its scenic overlooks and everything in between, Elliott said.
Last year, about 140 Jeeps came to the ride. Many of the participants were from the area, but others came from as far away as western Ohio, Erie and Pittsburgh, Elliott said.
“We’re trying to do a good thing and I think we’ve been successful,” said Kapp, who owns and operates Action Auto in Seneca.
Kapp’s wife, Debb, who is on the Two Mile advisory board, said there is a real need for funds to rehabilitate Justus Lake at the park.
Elliott and the Kapps are hoping even more people bring their Jeeps this year, with the number of Jeeps being capped at 250.
“I’ve lived here (in Venango County) most of my life and I had no idea of the vastness of the park and trails…I think a lot of local people don’t realize all the park has to offer,” said Elliott, who is from Seneca.
Three trails will be available to participants, including two woods trails. Both have five-mile long loops, one in the north and one in the south of the park for “mildly modified Jeeps,” though it is not extreme, Bill Kapp said.
The third trail is a 10-mile scenic trail for the less adventurous that is easier than the woods trails, Bill Kapp said. He said people who go on the woods trails may sign up to go on the scenic trail, but people who are only equipped for the scenic trail may not ride the woods trails.
“First and foremost, I always tell people, this is not a race. It is an opportunity for people who enjoy Jeeps to go for a ride in the woods,” Bill Kapp said.
The pace of the ride is nice and slow so everyone can enjoy all the scenery.
“It is a special, once a year event. We come in for the weekend. Then we are out and clean up the trails,” Bill Kapp said.
He added that park manager Luke Kauffman, Venango County commissioners and the park trails committee and advisory board have been very supportive of their endeavor.
“I think there is a stereotype that off roaders just want to rip up mud and rev their engines. That is not what we’re about,” Elliott said.
They also encouraged people who have Jeeps but haven’t went off-roading before or who don’t have much experience to come to the event, saying it is a great first experience and introduction to the world of Jeeps.
“The more experienced help the less experienced,” Debb Kapp said.
Elliott added that “we are a family oriented group and encourage people to bring their spouses and kids.”
Last year, several teens “found their voices” helping out and volunteering at the event, Debb Kapp said.
She noted that the Jeep ride can also be a great opportunity for people who have older family members with mobility issues to get out in the woods with them in a Jeep.
“I grew up here. I remember when people raced Jeeps here before it was established much as a park,” Bill Kapp said. “I can’t think of a better place to be…I take it for granted. It is a hidden gem,” Kapp added.
Last year, in preparation for the first Jeep ride, many members of Oil Valley Jeeps came and donated their time to clean up and improve the trails for the ride, Elliott said.
Cleaning up the trails has also benefited the other people who use the trails such as horse riders, hikers, mountain bikers and cross country skiers, Bill Kapp noted. He added “If you look at the trails you can’t tell we were here (last year).”
“People have been commenting the trails are in better shape than ever,” Debb Kapp said.
The deadline for ordering T-shirts is Sunday, and the cost of registration is $25 for the scenic trail and $50 for the woods trail.
Registration can be done online at the events page at oilvalleyjeeps.org
All Jeeps are required to be street legal and have insurance, Bill Kapp said.
