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Every year, during the second Thursday through Sunday in August, California Four Wheel Drive Association, Inc. holds the Sierra Trek event, which is the largest four wheel drive events in Northern California. The event is held at Meadow Lake, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, northwest of Truckee, in the Tahoe National Forest, and offers amazing four wheeling, great companionship, fun, and great FOOD. Speaking of food, when you're at base camp, and your hungry for a snack, you'll enjoy the delicious food served at the Hi-Landers Snack Bar, operated by the Hi-Landers 4WD Club, of Orangevale, CA. As with all of reviews that I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: CA4WDC's annual Sierra Trek event offers some of the best four wheeling on the west coast, along with fun activities and amazing mountain cuisine, at Trek Snack Bar, hosted by the Hi-Landers 4WD Club, located in the greater Sacramento area. It's early afternoon, Thursday, August 08, 2024, and it's time to enjoy a delicious hot dog and fries!
Photo: I was SO happy to see pickled jalapeņo pepper slices were offered, both hot and medium as condiments, which truly enhanced the hot dog I enjoyed today. Mayonnaise, mustard were standard, along with ketchup and dill pickle relish. This year, all condiments were served from bottles, rather than the small kind of packages that you have to tear open with your teeth. Speaking of jalapeņo pepper slices, I enjoyed them on every trip to the Trek Snack Bar that I enjoyed at the 2024 Sierra Trek event.
Photo: The menu is very basic, but offers everything you could ever hope to enjoy. I noted the prices hadn't changed since last year.
Photo: A grill is set up in back of the restaurant where the staff does their magic. Hot dogs and burgers are grilled over the propane-fired grill, using oak wood for seasoning. The chef is taking MY dog off the grill...
Photo: My friendly hosts hands my hot dog, along with an order of fries, with a smile. I added a side of sauerkraut to my dog, as it seemed to be a great thing to do on this pleasant Thursday afternoon.
Photo: I'm a happy guy, as I'm ready to enjoy an amazing hot dog, along with one of the best side of fries in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Photo: Your dog arrives "naked" from the grill, unless you order an add-on, such as sauerkraut. My dog, dressed with optional sauerkraut, along with an order of fries. Now, it's time to add more condiments...
Photo: From the "Hot Food" section of the menu, I went with a "Hot Dog" and a side of "French Fries." I simply splurged with today's dog, as I spent an extra buck on a side of sauerkraut, which seemed to be a great thing to do on this Thursday afternoon. For condiments, I added mustard, mayonnaise and pickled jalapeņo pepper slices, which turned this amazing dog into a dog to "die for." No ketchup on the dog for me, as I'm not a kid. As always, the hot dog was perfectly grilled by the talented chef and served on a large, fresh roll. The bun-to-meat ratio was perfect, as the chef has talent. Oh... just like with a hamburger, the bun-to-meat ratio is crucial to a hot dog, and the chef knows his trade. The condiments enhanced the amazing dog in every way, including the tangy taste of the optional sauerkraut. The fries... oh my! ... the chef knows his trade, as the fries I enjoyed today - as in previous years - were some of the best fries on the planet, When you dine at Hi-Landers Snack Bar during the Sierra Trek event, you simply MUST order a side of fries with every entree, as the fries are as good as it gets, and are truly the best fries that I've ever enjoyed during my travels in eastern Placer County.
Photo: One bite into my dog, and you can see all of the goodness it offers, including the fresh bun, the jalapeņo pepper slices, mustard, mayonnaise and dill pickle relish.
Photo: Early Friday afternoon, August 09, 2024, it was time to hit the Trek Snack Bar again, and enjoy one of their delicious cheeseburgers. Note hot dogs, burgers and cheeseburgers on the grill. The talented chef removed my burger - complete with melted cheese - for my photo. Thanks!
Photo: My friendly hostess presents my fries and cheeseburger to me graciously, thanks to the friendliness of the Hi-Lander staff, who know how to prepare great food.
Photo: I'm a happy guy, as I'm going to enjoy a delicious cheeseburger and some of the best fries north of Truckee.
Photo: From the "Hot Food" section of the menu, I went with a "Cheeseburger" along with a side of "French Fries." If you're a connoisseur of fries, you need to order a side of them with every meal. The cheeseburger began with a large beef patty - most likely about 6-oz - perfectly grilled to perfection. The meat was gilled medium - which is my choice - and I neglected to ask the staff if you could enjoy your meat grilled any other way. The beef patty was juicy, tender, cooked to perfection and simply delicious. Oh yes... since I'd ordered a cheeseburger, the meat was topped with a slice of half-melted American cheese, which was simply perfect. The meat was placed on a fresh, premium bun, and I noted the staff "nailed" the burger, as it had the perfect bun-to-meat ratio which is crucial for a great burger. Since I ordered "everything" with my burger, it was topped with lettuce, tomato slice and red onion. Oh yes! One bite into the burger rewarded me with a cornucopia of flavors: Juicy, tender beef, topped with melted American cheese, a soft, sweet bun, along with chilled lettuce, tomato and onion. Yes, unlike other cheeseburgers, I could actually taste and enjoy the cheese which enhanced the burger beyond description. The added condiments, mayonnaise and pickled jalapeņo pepper slices added a bit of pizzzazzz and made this an amazing burger to enjoy at CA4WDC's 2024 edition of Sierra Trek. As I mentioned earlier, I enjoyed some of the best fries in Placer County, and certainly on any four wheel drive event. The fries were perfectly deep fried to a crunchy, medium golden brown on the outside, and white, tender and amazing on the inside. The tender inside, combined with the deep fried outside gave a bit of "crunch" which made these fries some of the best fries on the planet. An amazing cheeseburger and a side of some of the best fries in the Tahoe National Forest? ... such an amazing lunch! You can't beat this lunch... ever!
Photo: I dressed out my cheeseburger with jalapeņo pepper slices, mayonnaise and dill pickle relish. Note the melted cheese, which worked perfectly with this great burger.
Photo: Late Saturday morning, August 10, 2024, it was time to enjoy another delicious hot dog, thanks to the expertise of the chefs who are members of the Hi-Landers 4WD Club. Mr. Chef is working on my hot dog and grilling it to perfection.
Photo: The supporting kitchen staff work hard to ensure that quality food happens... especially the deep fry chef. The kitchen is located in back of the restaurant's order counter. Like all operations at Sierra Trek, the Trek Snack Bar is staffed by volunteers who perform an outstanding job.
Photo: My order of a hot dog and fries arrived to me with a smile, thanks to the friendly gal working the counter. Trek Snack Bar operates on what I call the "taqueria format" in that you look at the menu, pick your selection, pay for your order - using "Sierra Trek Bucks" - give your name to the staff member, and when your order is ready your name will be called. You pick your seat... what? ... you'll find seating over near Sierra Trek Restaurant, which provides outstanding meals during most of the event.
Photo: I pose with my order of fries, along with my hot dog, dressed out and ready to enjoy.
Photo: From the "Trek Snack Bar" menu, I went with another hot dog, along with a side of fries, as I simply can't resist one of the best hot dogs and fries that you can ever imagine. Yes, it was very similar to what I posted a couple days ago, so you know the details. For the hot dog, today I went with pickled jalapeņo pepper slices, which I simply can't resist, along with dill pickle relish, mustard and mayonnaise. What a hot dog! I dressed the best-in-the-event fries with a side of ketchup, which made for great dipping. I NEVER put ketchup on a hot dog or a hamburger, as... gee... I'm way over 14 years of age. On the other hand, if a side of ranch dressing was offered, I'd pass on the ketchup... Sierra Trek Snack Bar serves some of the best cuisine you can imagine, at a very reasonable price. The food is delicious and the staff is as friendly as it gets. Hi-Landers 4WD Club is based in the greater Sacramento area, and the friendly staff serve delicious food, with some of the proceeds going to CA4WDC, which helps to keep our public lands open to four wheeling for future generations to enjoy.
Photo: Cross section one of the greatest hot dogs on the planet, showing the amazing grilled dog, the bun, and the delicious condiments that I added. Of course, since they were offered, I topped my dog with pickled jalapeņo pepper slices, along with mustard, mayonnaise and dill pickle relish. Talk about a loaded hot dog! Let's go back to CA4WDC Sierra Trek last year, 2023, and enjoy the fine cuisine I enjoyed at the Trek Snack Bar...
Photo: It's late morning on Friday, August 11, 2023, and I've arrived at Hi Landers Snack Bar to enjoy an amazing lunch. Despite the fact that I purchased a meal ticket for the 2023 Sierra Trek event, I could not resist enjoying lunch at this fine restaurant, as the food is simply amazing! The restaurant is set up in a tent along "Main Street" and operates Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the Sierra Trek event, serving fine food and snacks.
Photo: The menu at Hi Landers Snack Bar is simple, and offers some of the best "snacks" in the high Sierra Nevada mountains. Despite the current economy, the prices haven't changed since last year, and remain an absolute bargain. The format is that you make your selection from the menu, place your order with the staff, pay for it, and when your order is ready, your name will be called and you pick your order up from the counter. You pay for your order with "Trek Bucks," which are available at the nearby "Bank."
Photo: I looked behind the restaurant and said "hello" to the friendly crew, who were taking a break from making their outstanding cuisine.
Photo: The smoker/grill is the main source for cooking, and the pitmaster knows his trade. After the pork is grilled, it's shredded, mixed with barbecue sauce and allowed to slowly simmer in a large kettle. Burgers and dogs are grilled on the grill, and the Hi Landers use oak wood to enhance the charcoal.
Photo: The talented deep fry chef is making some of the best fries you have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. The pit and deep fry station are located behind the restaurant.
Photo: My friendly hostess, who was working the counter, brought my sandwich and fries to me with a smile.
Photo: I'm a happy "four wheeler," as I smile as I'm ready to enjoy an amazing lunch at Hi Landers Snack Bar, and the 56th Sierra Trek 4wd event, hosted by CA4WDC, with the event located in Meadow Lake, CA.
Photo: From the menu board, I went with a "Pulled Pork Sandwich," and an order of "French Fries." The "kid" in me added ketchup to my fries for dipping, but the fries were so delicious they didn't really need any enhancement. High Landers Snack Bar doesn't skim on the pulled pork, as the sandwich included a generous helping of grilled, shredded, and cooked in barbecue sauce pulled pork. The pork was juicy, tender, with a bit of a "tang" and simply delicious. The pork was placed on a large, fresh roll and the fresh lettuce, tomato and onion were placed on the side. With the veggies on the side, the roll and the pork were hot, and the veggies were cold. When you opened the roll and added the veggies, you enjoyed the contrast between hot and cold, which makes for a sandwich sensation. The fry chef at the restaurant creates some of the best fries that I've ever enjoyed, and it's amazing he deep fries such great fries at a four wheel drive event, located in the high Sierra Nevada mountains. The fries were "crinkle cut" of average size, perfectly deep fried to a beautiful, medium golden brown on the outside, but juicy, white and tender inside. They crunch when you bite into them, and the golden crust contrasts perfectly with the tender, white inside. The fries are as good as it gets, and no meal at High Landers Snack Bar is complete without a side of their extraordinary fries. Delicious! I added the chilled lettuce, tomato and onion to the warm sandwich, and when I bit into it, I was rewarded with a taste sensation! The warm tangy pulled pork worked perfectly with the chilled veggies, and the soft, chewy bun held it all together. Simply amazing!! Where else except at High Landers Snack Bar could you enjoy such an amazing sandwich for a mere $5.00?
Photo: The best "French Fries" that I've ever enjoyed in the High Sierras! The fries were deep fried to a golden brown perfection, with just the right amount of crunch on the outside, and tender inside. Simply delicious! I couldn't resist adding some ketchup for dipping, but it wasn't really needed as these fries are as good as fries can get.
Photo: "Pulled Pork Sandwich" assembled with the lettuce, onion and tomato. The hot pork and bun contrasted perfectly with the chilled veggies, which made for a perfect sandwich. Like a burger, the contrast between hot and cold makes for a superior sandwich.
Photo: Side view of this simply delicious sandwich, showing all of the layers of pork, tangy barbecue sauce, onion, lettuce and tomato which made this sandwich so flavorful and delightful.
Photo: It's early afternoon on Thursday, August 10, 2023, and I've arrived at Hi Landers Snack Bar to enjoy a late lunch. The event dinner will be served later at 6:00 pm, but I can't resist enjoying a snack, as this restaurant - temporary to the Sierra Trek event - serves delicious mountain cuisine that I simply can't resist. Note the bottles - not small packages - of mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup and dill pickle relish on the counter, which added a lot of class to this fine, temporary restaurant. I truly believe this customer will enjoy his cheeseburger!
Photo: Meet "Hi-Lander Sue," my friendly hostess at the counter, who hands me my lunch with a smile. Such a friendly and gracious person!
Photo: I'm a happy guy, as I'm ready to enjoy a delicious hot dog and fries, grilled and deep fried to perfection. Check Hi Landers Snack Bar when you attend the Sierra Trek event, as you'll simply love their delicious food.
Photo: One "Hot Dog," along with an order of "French Fries," as delivered by "Hi Lander Sue." Now, it's time to dress the dog and the fries...
Photo: My hot dog was a large quarter-pound beef dog, grilled to perfection, complete with grill marks. The meat was placed in a large, fresh bun, with the perfect meat-to-bun ratio. Each bun was lightly toasted on the grill, which always adds to the delicious flavor. One bite into the dog and I was rewarded with a crisp "snap," which is the trademark of natural casing, along with a juicy, flavorful taste sensation. These dogs were wonderful! The dogs came "bare" from the kitchen, but there were jars of mustard, ketchup, dill pickle relish and mayonnaise for your pleasure, if that's your preference. I did succumb to temptation and added mustard, relish and mayonnaise, as a dog is a bit on the dry side, in my opinion, without any additions, and I love mustard. I'm not a kid, so I NEVER ruin a fine hot dog by desecrating it with ketchup! Such an amazing hot dog! The "French Fries" at High Landers Snack Bar are simply the BEST! The fries were deep fried to perfection to a medium golden brown with a "crisp," but white, juicy and tender on the inside. Yes, I added ketchup, as the "kid" in me loves to dip my fries in ketchup, but it really wasn't needed, as these fries were stand-alone delicious! You MUST order fries with any meal at this fine restaurant, as they are some of the best I've every enjoyed, and make a perfect side. The fry chef has talent!
Photo: For the CA4WDC Sierra Trek event, the Hi-Landers 4WD Club, of Orangevale, CA, set up the Hi-Landers Snack Bar, simply known as the "Snack Bar." The restaurant satisfies the hunger cravings of hungry four wheelers, and part of the proceeds is donated to CA4WDC in their effort to keep trails open. So, it's a win-win, as you'll enjoy amazing cuisine and you'll be helping to keep our trails open. Sierra Trek 2022 ran from Thursday, August 11th until Sunday, August 14th, and for the past 55 years, has been held at Meadow Lake, in the beautiful Tahoe National Forest, northwest of Truckee. It's a little past noon on Saturday, August 10, 2022, and the restaurant is in full operation, dishing out great snacks and "comfort food," at the 8000 foot elevation.
Photo: The menu is posted at the counter, and lists the modest selection the restaurant offers. The prices are reasonable, the food is delicious and the staff is super friendly!
Photo: The format is that you make your selection from the menu, place your order with the staff, pay for it, and when your order is ready, your name will be called and you pick your order up from the counter. You pay for your order with "Trek Bucks," which are available at the nearby "Bank." Note this customer is ready to hand over a few purple "bucks," which happen to be worth $1.00 each. The "Trek Bucks" are like small "Monopoly money," and help the event committee keep track of expenses. You simply give the "Bank" how much money you want to spend and they'll give you the same in "bucks." At the end of the event, if you have some "bucks" unspent, you can redeem them for the same amount of greenbacks at the "Bank."
Photo: The Snack Bar is busy on this early Saturday afternoon, serving delicious diner cuisine to hungry four wheelers.
Photo: My friend Robert is enjoying a hot dog that he had just purchased, and gave me the inspiration to visit the Snack Bar and enjoy one or two of them myself. I hadn't planned on visiting the Snack Bar, as at the event, I had purchased the option to enjoy daily breakfast and dinner, prepared by Sierra Trek volunteers. But... looking at Robert's hot dog, how could I ever resist? The Sierra Trek committee prepares delicious food at the event! Check out the fine cuisine I enjoyed last year by clicking on this link. The cuisine at this year's event was nearly identical to last year, and just as delicious!
Photo: "Chili Cheese Fries," which are an order of fries, with optional chili and cheese. The fries, which are deep fried on the grill in back of the restaurant are perhaps the best fries I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy.
Photo: Look who I ran into as I was ordering my burger and fries... friendly Becky, from Old Goats Saloon, located a couple of doors down from the restaurant. Becky is a lady with fine taste, as she smiles, as she shows off her order of "Chili-Cheese Fries," along with an order of "Cheese Nachos."
Photo: As much as I LOVE hot dogs, I decided to begin my "foodie" journey with a "Hamburger," along with an order of "French Fries." Little did I guess that I'd be back for hot dogs, along with a second order of fries just an hour later!
Photo: After picking up my order, I proudly show it off. I really wasn't hungry, as I was waiting for the amazing Saturday night dinner, but after seeing Robert's hot dog, I couldn't resist. Hi-Landers Snack Bar is located on "Main Street" of the Sierra Trek event, on private property at Meadow Lake, CA. You can see some of the activity that's happening this afternoon, including vendors and a truck show. I didn't spend much of the time taking in the activities of "Main Street," as I was alternating between the fine cuisine of the Snack Bar, and the fine refreshments of the Old Goats Saloon, just a couple doors down.
Photo: The burger and fries arrived "naked" off the grill, but I did pick up a few packages of mustard to "enhance" my burger. Really, the burger was so delicious that it didn't need any "enhancements!" Ditto with the fries.
Photo: From the "Main Course" section of the menu, I went with a "Hamburger," along with an order of "French Fries." The beef patty was good sized - at least a quarter pound - and grilled to perfection by the talented chef. The meat was tender, juicy, lightly seasoned, and grilled just right. I'd guess the meat was cooked to "medium," as it was grilled on the outside, and tender, juicy with just a hint of "pink" on the inside. The meat rested on a fresh, larger-sized sesame seed bun, with just a small amount of barbecue sauce on the bun to enhance the flavor. The meat-to-bun ratio was perfect. Except for the small coating of barbecue sauce on the bun, the burger came "bare," but the restaurant provided small packages of mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise for dressing. I squeezed a couple packages of mustard on my hamburger, as I like mustard. Salad items for the hamburger included sliced red onion, tomato slices and lettuce leaves. All of the "salad" was fresh and delicious, and definitely enhanced the taste of this delicious burger. The "French Fries" ... or simply... "the fries..." were AMAZING and perhaps the best fries that I have EVER enjoyed in all of my 70 years! The fries were large and "crinkle cut," lightly salted and deep fried to a perfect golden brown on the outside, with a white and tender inside. Simply delicious! I later found out that these delicious fries were deep fried inside a large, "Texas-style" grill, using charcoal for heat, and oak wood for smoke and taste. The talented chef certainly worked magic with the fries, and later in the day, I came back for seconds. For the price of $7.00 you simply can't beat the hamburger and fries, as the meal was simply delicious. Consider Sierra Trek is a CA4WDC fundraiser, and a portion of the revenue generated at the snack bar goes to CA4WDC. Not to mention the fact that you're at the 8000-foot elevation in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and you're around 1-1/2 hours from Truckee, the nearest town. Forget your "fast food" cravings and enjoy an amazing burger and fries at Hi- Landers Snack Bar!
Photo: Behind the restaurant, the chef was cooking burgers, dogs and ... surprise! ... he was deep frying "French Fries" on a "Texas style" charcoal grill, with oak wood for seasoning and smoke. The chefs at Hi-Landers Snack Bar have culinary talent! I have never seen, or even imagined deep frying fries using a charcoal grill, complete with oak wood, for the heat source. I suppose it goes to show you that you learn new things every day. I plan to try this little trick at home one of these days.
Photo: Now I know what made the fries taste so heavenly... the chef deep fried them on the charcoal grill, using oak wood for seasoning and for smoke. The fries were simply a slice of heaven!
Photo: The chefs have taken a burger order off the grill, placed it in a paper basket and will be giving it to the kitchen staff, who will add onion, tomato and lettuce. Burgers are served "naked" with the exception of a light coating of barbecue sauce on one side of the bun, so you can customize your burger to your individual taste.
Photo: Only an hour after enjoying my burger and fries, and after a couple of trips to the Old Goats Saloon, I just HAD to return and order not one, but two hot dogs, along with another order of the amazing fries.
Photo: I'm a happy four wheeler, as I'm ready to enjoy two "Hot Dogs," along with another order of the best "French Fries" in the Sierra Nevada, and perhaps any place else in California.
Photo: From the "Main Course" section of the menu, I went with two "Hot Dogs" along with a side of "French Fries." My friend Robert had raved about the hot dogs, and I simply LOVED the fries I'd enjoyed an hour earlier with my "Hamburger," so instead on simply one dog, I ordered two! I decided to leave calorie counting for the next day... Each hot dog was a large quarter-pound beef dog, grilled to perfection, complete with grill marks. The meat was placed in a large, fresh bun, with the perfect meat-to-bun ratio. Each bun was lightly toasted on the grill, which always adds to the delicious flavor. One bite into the dog and I was rewarded with a crisp "snap," which is the trademark of natural casing, along with a juicy, flavorful taste sensation. These dogs were wonderful! The dogs came "bare" from the kitchen, but there were packages of mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise for your pleasure, if that's your preference. I did succumb to temptation and added mustard, as a dog is a bit on the dry side, in my opinion, without any additions, and I love mustard. I'm not a kid, so I NEVER ruin a fine hot dog by desecrating it with ketchup! Like the burgers, Hi-Landers Snack Bar simply "nailed" the meat-to-bun ration with these hot dogs, as it was perfect, and helped to make the hot dogs simply delicious. The "French Fries," which I found out were deep fried on the smoker were so delicious that I came back for seconds! I've already raved about the fries, and just let it be said that the order that I enjoyed an hour ago was so good that I came back for more. Just for "grins," I did use a little mayonnaise for dipping, but it really wasn't needed. These fries were simply AMAZING!
Photo: I dressed my hot dogs with a couple packages of mustard, as I love mustard on my hot dogs. Note the buns were lightly toasted on the grill for added flavor and presentation. The hot dogs served at Snack Bar were simply amazing!
Photo: My second order of "French Fries," where were probably the best fries that I can ever remember of enjoying. I attribute the amazing taste to the skill of the chef, and the fact they were deep fried using a charcoal-fired grill as the heat source, and oak wood for added flavor and smoke. On my second order, I used a couple packages of mayonnaise to dip my fries into, but that was purely optional, as the fries were simply stand-alone delicious! What could be better than to enjoy delicious snacks at one of the premier four wheel drive events in the State of California? The food is delicious, the prices are very reasonable, and the staff is as friendly as it gets. And the fries are perhaps the best fries that I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy... When you're enjoying all the fun Sierra Trek has to offer, stop by the Hi-Landers Snack Bar and enjoy some amazing mountain cuisine. Hi-Landers Snack Bar Copyright(c) 2024 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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