Discovering new routes on the Paiute ATV trail system
Tall stands of trees offer nice shade while riding an unmapped trail off of the Paiute trail system near Fillmore. These trees sit at the top of Chalk Creek Canyon.
An unmapped trail off of the Paiute trail system near Fillmore offers shady riding.
I have favorite trail systems that I love to ride. I think I know them well enough to give friends a good riding experience, but once in a while, someone will tell me about a trail in a system I know that I haven’t ridden.
Recently, my friend Sherry Sheppard, associated with the National ATV Jamboree in Fillmore, told me about a trail that is not on the Paiute ATV Trail map. My eyebrows went straight up. I was looking for a place to test the Wolverine, the new UTV from Yamaha, and this seemed to be a good fit.
Picking up some riding buddies, we arrived in Fillmore early enough for a ride before dinner. Unloading our machines, we headed up Chalk Creek Canyon to see a hieroglyphic panel. I have been here before and am fascinated with this panel because it is not Indian rock art. It appears to be Spanish or early pioneer, and it is supposed to be a key to a large stash of gold buried nearby. As usual, the stories include the deaths of people who searched for it. I am always curious about a mystery, but I am not always dying to solve it.
With the sun going down, we topped off our evening with a ride to the Meadow Hot Pots. This magic place is just a few miles west of town out in the desert. It is a natural hot spring that is the perfect temperature year-round. Almost 30 feet deep, about 25 feet long, and some 20 feet wide, it’s the perfect place to soak under the stars and contemplate the mysteries of the universe.
The next morning we were anxious to find this new trail. Heading south out of Fillmore, we followed trail #6 to Kanosh. The trail turns east up Kanosh Canyon. We turned right and rode through town to the cemetery on the other side. Passing to the left of the cemetery, we followed a trail that would have taken us to Cove Fort — a trail for another day. Coming to a sign marking the Dry Wash Trail, we turned east.
This was the trail we were looking for and it was well worth the trip. It is one of the prettiest trails I have ridden. Passing under canopies of trees, this easy trail was in shade most of the way. We were experiencing the green of a wet spring, but even in the warmer season, this trail would be a welcome respite from the heat. The track passes through an old stand of juniper. We saw trees with trunks that were some two feet across. I have never seen them so big.
The other end of the trail ends in Bull Valley where it connects with trail #15, the trail to the Fremont Indian Museum. However, as we entered the valley, we were stopped by a 60-inch-wide gate. Pulled up to the gate, I was thinking about having to turn around and retrace my track, when my friend Becky who was eyeing things from front said, “I think you can make it.” My Terex-4 is 61.6 inches wide and the Wolverine I was testing is an inch narrower. We were able to squeeze through. Note to self — carry a tape measure because 60 inches may not always be 60 inches.
Picking up trail #6 again, we followed the #1 Paiute Trail toward Richfield. This is also a favorite section of the Paiute because the rider is rewarded with beautiful valley vistas as revealed between breaks in the trees.
Nearing the junction to Richfield, there is a catch pond on the right. To the left is a sign marking a forest road #505 – another trail not marked on the map. This is such a fun trail to take as it winds through valleys and climbs ridges until it connects back with the main Paiute Trail. Traveling on the tops of the mountains, we reached the Chalk Creek Canyon junction and made our way back to Fillmore, a round trip of about 95 miles.
When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and enjoy these new trails.
Lynn R. Blamires can be reached at quadmanone@gmail.com
