ATV Adventures: Red Rock Country splendor at the Kanab Red Rock Jamboree
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- Riding by some of the interesting rock formations in Hog Canyon.
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- The entrance to Hidden Lake, one of the rides at the Kanab Red Rock Jamboree.
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- Climbing a section of the Mosdell Trail in Hog Canyon.
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- Lynn Blamires
Riding on the success of last year’s jamboree, the UT/AZ ATV Club in conjunction with Kane County and the city of Kanab is hosting the Fourth Annual Kanab Red Rock Jamboree. This year, it will be held April 26-29, one week later than it was held last year.
This is a good time to be in Kanab because spring is in full swing and the backcountry of Kane County is a great place to be this time of year. People who are where spring isn’t are looking to go where it is.
There is a 300-rider cap again this year. Last year, they were filled to capacity, so you will want to register early to enjoy this great opportunity.
Fees are $150 per rider with no charge for children under 12. That includes three breakfasts, two dinners, a jamboree T-shirt and a fun welcome bag. If you break that down into meals you would have to buy anyway, and the shirt that is evidence you survived the trails in the Montezuma Trail System, the guided rides in amazing Kane County are a bonus.
The jamboree opens on Wednesday, April 26, allowing riders to check in, pick up registration packets and become more acquainted with the itinerary. Guides will be available to discuss details about trails being offered. The day winds up at 6:30 p.m. with an ice cream social to start the fun.
Fifteen rides are being offered that you can choose from each day of the jamboree. After you have ridden three, you won’t be able to resist coming back next year for more. Registration information is available at https://www.utazatvclub.org.
The Montezuma Trails are some of the best Utah has to offer. I know because I have ridden some of them. Here is my commentary on some of the trails being offered:
The Hoodoo Run
The hoodoos that spawned the name of this ride are found in Brown Canyon. The ride starts from the Johnson Canyon Road and proceeds to the Cowboy Cave petroglyphs. After circling around the Pinnacles, the ride goes to some amazing views at Cutler Point and then into Brown Canyon. I love a good hoodoo, but the draw for me is a chance to see the Native American water glyphs featured on this ride. I have written about these before and they are fascinating.
Shunesburg Mail Drop
Being a history buff, this trail holds special interest for me. You will get a view from the top of a cliff where early pioneers carried the mail. At this point, mail was exchanged by a cable system from the top to a carrier hundreds of feet down to the valley below. Valley residents depended on this system for their mail.
Warriors Walk
Again, my love of history makes this trail special. To begin with, the slick rock sections on this ride are really fun, but the interesting part is the Warriors Walk. This is a slick rock section with two parallel lines of rocks marking a path from one end to the other. The people who know about this are no longer with us, but it is thought by some to be part of an initiation ceremony for young warriors. That is easy for me to believe from the Boy Scout ceremonies with which I am familiar.
Hidden Lake
This ride features a trail through Red Canyon Wash that crosses Kanab Creek. After dropping into Kanab Canyon, a stop will be made at Hidden Lake. It is called hidden because a small lake is inside a cave under a massive sandstone cliff. The approach to the cave is spectacular and entering the cave to see the lake is worth the trip. Don’t forget your camera if you take this ride.
The Honeymoon Trail
The history of this trail is the draw for me on this ride. The Honeymoon Trail was taken by early pioneer couples from Arizona who wanted to be married in the St. George Temple. I have been on part of it, but this is a part I haven’t seen. Eagle Sink is another feature of this trail. It is a massive sinkhole I would love to see.
If I haven’t given you reason enough to sign up for this spring jamboree, start at the top and read the article again. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and get out of the cold and into the backcountry of Kanab.
Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.