ATV Adventures: Panguitch — a great place to hold an OHV rally
-
- Riding a trail in the Paunsagunt Trail System, one of the trails featured at the Bryce ATV/UTV Rally in Panguitch.
-
- The Lime Kiln Trail, one of the trails featured at the Bryce ATV/UTV Rally in Panguitch.
-
- Tiki Head or Easter Island Head — you decide as you ride beautiful Casto Canyon at the Bryce ATV/UTV Rally in Panguitch.
-
- Enjoy the contrast of the green against the red rock formations in Casto Canyon at the Bryce ATV/UTV Rally in Panguitch.
-
- Lynn Blamires
Panguitch is set to host the 13th Annual Bryce ATV/UTV Rally from Aug. 16-19. Registration is open at www.brycerally.org and there are still plenty of slots available for you to join the fun.
The registration fee is packed with value. The $110 cost per ticket covers four breakfasts, two dinners, a T-shirt or hat, four days of guided rides and a chance to win $5,000. Adult passengers only pay $85 while youth ages 16-18 pay $50 and kids 9-16 get everything for just $25. For those meals not provided in your ticket, Panguitch has some great eating establishments. If you add up what meals and the shirt would cost, you will see the value being offered here.
Panguitch is a great place to ride. I have been there several times and have never been disappointed. The Paunsaugunt Trails are among those offered at this rally. It features trails along the shore of the beautiful Tropic Reservoir and the rim trail gives breathtaking views into Bryce Canyon National Park. Other trails branch out onto trails in the Paiute Trail System and the Markagunt Trail System. Regardless of which trails you pick, prepare to ride some of the most beautiful trails in the state.
Organizers have spiked the jamboree with some extra fun. Tuesday night brings out the Bingo cards — $1 each for as many cards as you can manage. You might want some help because you will be playing for some great prizes. Thursday will feature an OHV parade. This is a great opportunity to be in a parade and show off your bling. Friday will add a poker hand to the rides. Cards will be drawn at points on the trails with the best hands winning more great prizes.
Now let’s talk about the rides. One of the best reasons to attend a jamboree is to learn about new trails. There are enough being offered that even if you have ridden the area, you are bound to be taken on a new one. Because there are too many offered to ride at one jamboree, you will want to return next year to ride some more. I have selected a few that I think you will enjoy:
Trail No. 2 – Circleville, Dog Valley Ride
This quicker-paced ride will begin in Panguitch and follow the beautiful Freemont Trail up over Mount Dutton and down into Circleville. Lunch will be at a restaurant in town. The return trip will be alongside Highway 89 up onto the Beaver Mountains and back into Panguitch, finishing a 90-mile loop.
Trail No. 3 – Casto Canyon
This trail has a 50-inch width restriction, but it is the closest to being in Bryce Canyon National Park without actually being in the park. The formations are colorful and memorable in their shapes and sizes. One outstanding feature is the giant Easter Island head. There is also a sharp contrast between the red rock cliffs and the green foliage. This ride is 36 miles long and requires you to pack a lunch.
Trail No. 9 – Paunsaugunt Rim/Straight Canyon Loop
Riders will go through Proctor Canyon, drop down to Tropic Reservoir, down the East Fork Road and up to Crawford Pass. There is a beautiful campground at the pass. Much of this ride will be spent on the Paunsaugunt Rim with its beautiful overlooks into Bryce Canyon. The ride is 85 miles long and you will need to bring a lunch.
Trail No. 16 – Mammoth Cave
This scenic ride will begin at Rally Headquarters. Riding along a canyon, you will have majestic views of the valley below. Then, continuing along a large lava flow to Mammoth Creek and to Mammoth Caves. You will have a chance to explore the caves because this will be the lunch stop. The ride is 60 miles long and you will need to bring lunch.
Trail No. 18 – Ipson Creek
This ride should be spectacular because it features a stop at Ipson Falls. This should be a sight to see with the runoff this year. Riders leave from the fairgrounds and travel some beautiful mountain country with a good chance to see antelope. After a stop at the falls, the ride continues to Panguitch Lake and then back to Panguitch. Plan on a 60-mile ride and to bring your own lunch.
When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and plan on a trip that will be a highlight of your summer experience.
Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.