For over 52 years, EarthTrek owner Jerry Ashburn has focused his life on creating unforgettable outdoor experiences for his guests. It all began when Jerry worked for the world's most renowned theme park. During his time at the "happiest place on Earth" he founded an employee activity club and named it the "Disney Alpine Club". Jerry planned and organized employee backpacking trips in the Sierra and a variety of other outdoor adventures. His passion and skill for getting people out in nature escalated and eventually he left the mouse behind and began his own adventure travel company. Jerry offered whitewater rafting trips throughout the West, guided group cycling tours in Death Valley and Napa Valley, and chartered ski trips to Mammoth and several other ski resorts in the West. At one point Jerry planned on running international trips, which is where the name "EarthTrek Expeditions" originated. The dream of trekking the earth was not quite in the cards, but the name stuck.  

Whitewater rafting on the American River eventually became his focus and he acquired commercial operating permits to run his own rafting trips. For 30+ years, EarthTrek ran their trips out of River's Bend Resort and for a few seasons even shared their camp with OARS as their neighbor, not knowing at the time what the future would hold in their relationship down the road. In 1992, Jerry was presented the opportunity to purchase river front property and develop his own camp. For about 24 years he ran his own whitewater rafting outfit while simultaneously improving upon each year's work towards developing the best campground he could envision. 

​

In 2016, Jerry decided to "semi-retire" and focus on what he is most passionate about, developing and maintaining his campground, In order to do so he sought out who he trusted to be the most reliable and promising outfitter to work with and transferred his river permits to OARS, Inc. and left the outfitting operations to them. EarthTrek and OARS developed a working partnership to bring their guests the best experience possible on the American River. By combining OARS's expertise on the river with EarthTrek's hospitality and comfortable river-side campground, guests are treated to the ultimate rafting and camping vacation. EarthTrek has also over the years hosted thousands upon thousands of 4th grade students who come to Coloma to learn about the California Gold Rush, hosted community events, music festivals, weddings, and a variety of other group events.

The operation EarthTrek runs today has been built upon a lifetime of Jerry and his family's hard work and devotion to providing their guests with a memorable outdoor experience.