Seven Decades Strong Jeep Takes to the Rubicon Trail

This summer (2023), the Jeep® brand and Jeep Jamboree mark 70 years of extreme off-roading adventure. The Rubicon Trail is considered one of the most challenging off-road trails in the world, epitomizing 4×4 off-road adventuring for the Jeep community since 1953. 

450 Jeep enthusiasts and their families and friends recently drove 125 Wranglers and Gladiators, celebrating this milestone with a special event on the Rubicon Trail. The off-road adventure of a lifetime proved that the best 4×4 automaker can conquer the impossible and get back home, even after going off the trail. The American automaker recently debuted a new video on its YouTube channel that offers a glimpse into this thrilling experience.

“For more than 80 years, the Jeep brand community has defined the Jeep brand and, for 70 of those years, the Rubicon Trail has been heralded by the community as one of the toughest off-road trails in the world, which combined with its beauty has put the Rubicon Trail on every Jeep 4×4 customer’s bucket list. Conquering the Rubicon Trail is tangible proof that these Jeep vehicles can literally go anywhere and do anything. As you can see in the video, Jeep 4xe vehicles demonstrate how we continue to push the envelope as we develop our next generation of electrified Jeep 4xe vehicles that can take 4×4 capability to the next level and conquer the seemingly impossible.”

-Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America

The Rubicon Trail is in northern California, near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The 22-mile-long trail is one of the most challenging off-road playgrounds in the world, designed to push the limits of even the most capable vehicles. Jeep Trail-rated 4×4 vehicles are engineered to overcome the most challenging terrains, and the Rubicon Trail is no exception.

Jeep Jamboree covers 17.5 miles of the Rubicon Trail. The elevations of the trail range from approximately 5,400 feet to more than 7,000 feet, offering a challenging experience for adventurous enthusiasts. Today, the Rubicon Trail is recognized as the premier off-road vehicle route in the United States, attracting 4×4 enthusiasts worldwide.

“In 1953, when Mark Smith organized the first Jeep Jamboree with 55 Willys and voyaged across the Sierra Nevada Mountains by way of the Rubicon Trail, off-road recreation was born. The following year, Willys Motors — then manufacturer of Jeep vehicles — became involved with the adventure, and Jeep Jamborees have been an off-road tradition ever since and continue to grow. Most recently, we’ve seen a huge surge of interest, especially after the COVID pandemic, with a tremendous demand from people who want to experience their Jeep vehicles in open-air freedom.”

-Pearse Umlauf, president and CEO of Jeep Jamboree

The Rubicon Trail has been a critical testing ground for Jeep engineers for decades, serving as a proving ground for some of the automaker’s most capable SUVs, including the iconic Jeep Wrangler. By 2002, the Wrangler Rubicon debuted, sporting the legendary Rubicon Trail name. The model was a game-changer for the entire automotive industry. After all, the Wrangler was the first Jeep SUV enthusiasts could order straight from the factory, with off-road options previously only available to fans who worked hard to customize their experience. 

The Rubicon model has various features, including Dana 44 axles, front and rear lockers, disconnecting sway bar, rock rails, oversized 31-inch mud-terrain tires, and wheel flares, making it a force to be reckoned with off-road. The Wrangler Rubicon continues to be a “proof of concept” for the Jeep brand, where lessons learned from iconic off-road locations like the Rubicon Trail and feedback gleaned from loyalists continue to push the brand and the entire Jeep lineup forward. 

The Jeep brand recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with a special edition model unveiled at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show.

Come Test Drive your 2023 Jeep Wrangler 

There’s a 2023 Jeep Wrangler custom-made for your adventure here at Miami Lakes Automall. Here at Miami Lakes Automall, we have all buying, trading, and leasing options to meet your purchasing needs. Our new vehicle inventory or certified pre-owned vehicles speaks to the volume Miami Lakes Automall holds to fit your desires. However, if you already have a beautiful baby needing some fine-tuning, you’ve come to the right place, and our service department is unmatched. Our service experts at Miami Lakes Automall are warmer than a fresh cup of coffee. Miami Lakes Automall has been here since 1982. So please stop by today to drive the car of your dreams. 

Photo Source/Copyright: Stellantis