Editor's Note -- A few months ago, we ran a story called "Johnson Valley Unhammered," which chronicled a Tacoma trail run on the Fissure Mountain Trail organized by All-Pro Off-Road. The trail run passed by a monument honoring Steve Riffel. At the time, we didn't have any additional information about Steve and what the monument was all about. Since that story was printed, we've been contacted by Steve's family and friends, who gave us a more complete picture of Steve's life and his untimely departure. Brian Graham, one of the "Men in Black," was kind enough to fill us in on the details.
Steve. Fun-loving guy, loved the outdoors, straight shooter, never complained, always willing to help others, self-sufficient, good with pranks, laid-back, but most of all he loved his newfound sport: wheeling!
I met Steve about five years ago and invited him on several different trips: Death Valley, Rubicon, Hammers. He was hooked and bought his own Jeep, and I helped him work it over. Steve wasn't bothered by who went or where we went: hard-core or picnic run, it was all the same to him. He would say, "Just get out of Dodge." The camping and friendship were as important as the wheeling to him. Steve was one of the best off-roaders I've ever run across. He had this uncanny ability to spot a lose lug nut at 50 yards, and he was always tinkering with something on his Jeep or mine.
July 2, 2005. Two Jeeps and three souls leave Means Dry Lake. We head up around the back way toward the master's course and make our way up toward the bottom of the Fissure Mountain Trail. After a few boulders, the trail was becoming very narrow and we needed to find our way down to the lower road. The side of the hill was steep, and with Steve behind me I made a three-point turn on the upper trail to get to the lower trail. Staying square to the hillside, I reached the bottom without incident. Before I turned onto the lower road Steve was already on his way down the steep hillside, but worst of all he wasn't square (not coming down straight). The whole thing happened in a heartbeat. His rig rolled, ejecting Steve right in the path of his own Jeep. My partner and I were at his side in seconds, but it was to no avail -- Steve was gone. Unfortunately, sometimes the most innocent-looking part of the trail can get you. I made the phone call to Steve's mom and dad to deliver the devastating news. It was the hardest thing I've ever done.
Steve's memorial service was held in Pomona, California. I had asked Steve's family if some of my off-roading friends could attend the service. I only expected a half dozen of my buddies to show -- wrong! It was more like an army. All of us were dressed in black T-shirts and blue jeans, and Steve's brother, who headed the services, pointed us out as the "Men in Black" and the name stuck.
The monument to Steve Riffel stands 8 feet tall and weighs approximately 2,800 pounds. It was assembled by the Men in Black on August 20, 2005, and is a tribute to and a reminder of a good person. We make sure to check in on it from time to time.
Regards,
Brian Graham