ATV Adventures: Scenery, history at the 4th annual Beaver County Trails ATV Jamboree
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- Sometimes called the Smurf House, this miner’s cabin was built inside a giant boulder.
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- Climbing among the rocks in the Mineral Mountains.
Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner
Sometimes called the Smurf House, this miner's cabin was built inside a giant boulder.
With everything beginning to get back to normal, Beaver County has set the dates for the Fourth Annual Beaver County Trails Jamboree. The dates are Monday, May 10, through Friday, May 13. The event is offered in conjunction with the Tushar Mountain ATV Club, who will provide the trail guides.
Registration is $105 per person and includes a jamboree T-shirt and two dinners. The jamboree is filling fast, but there is still time to register.
After picking up registration packets outside Beaver City offices, the jamboree kicks off with a Dutch oven dinner at Minersville Reservoir at 5 p.m., along with a prize drawing. A barbecue dinner will close the jamboree on Friday night with more prizes given away.
Having attended last year’s jamboree, I am familiar with some of the rides offered. Here are some that I particularly enjoyed:
The Rock Coral Loop
For those looking for scenery, this trail showcases the granite peaks of the Mineral Mountains. A circus bear and dinosaur within the rock formations was pointed out as we traveled past large granite monoliths along the route. One special point of interest was the Indian rock paintings, which are very unique and different from typical petroglyphs.
Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner
Climbing among the rocks in the Mineral Mountains.
I was fascinated to learn about Granite Reservoir on this ride. It is a natural pool tucked high in the jagged rocks of the Mineral Mountains. A hike of about 20 minutes will bring you to the edge of these pristine waters.
While we didn’t take time to make that hike, we did pass the trailhead that goes to the lake. I am told that it is not a bad idea to take some fishing gear with you when you go.
We stopped for lunch at the Rock Corral picnic area where people like to go to rock hound. The rugged beauty of this ride makes it one of the most popular rides offered at the jamboree.
Picture Rock
Leaving from Beaver this trail goes into the lofty Tushar Mountains to the base of towering Mount Baldy. Crossing over Tanner Mountain into Indian Creek, the trail goes up Twitchell Canyon. We crossed Indian Creek many times before coming to the Picture Rock Quarry.
We spent time rock hounding in this beautiful canyon. Indian Creek was flowing along beside us as we picked up shale rocks with intricate designs resembling art pieces.
Leaving the quarry, we went back down Twitchell Canyon and made our way to the peaceful waters of Manderfield Reservoir where we stopped for lunch. I really enjoyed this forest ride in contrast to the raw beauty of the Mineral Mountains.
Frisco Kilns
I recommend this ride for the history I learned about the historic charcoal kilns we visited. The trailhead is west of Milford and the trail followed old mining roads as it wound through miles of juniper before bringing us to the ghost town of Frisco.
Charcoal was important to the process of smelting the silver deposits mined in the area back in the 1870s. I enjoyed exploring these mining relics.
The Lamerdorf ride is also one that features some charcoal kilns and travels through the Southern Wah Wah Mountains. They are as fun to say as they are to ride.
Mag’s Brothel
Mag’s was a bath house and saloon that served the Frisco miners. Hot pools were a feature of the geothermal activity there that has been harnessed to provide power to the town of Beaver. A feature I enjoyed most on this ride was a miner’s cabin built into a giant boulder. I have heard it referred to as the Smurf House because it looks like something right out of a Smurf movie.
Two new rides are offered this year. They are:
The Old Car Trail
This is a short intermediate ride that wanders through narrow wooded trails. It offers great views of Black Mountain and Beaver Valley. Oh, and it includes a visit to an old abandoned car.
Cricket Mountain
I have been to these mountains, but it was a long time ago. The ride goes through ancient valleys of sedentary rock formations, caves, mineral springs and other geological features. I would like to revisit these trails with someone who knows more about them.
You can find a description of the trails offered at the jamboree by going to https://www.beaver.utah.gov. I love history, both Native American and pioneer, water crossings, beautiful scenery and rock hounding. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and sign up soon for fun and adventure.
Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.