ATV Adventures: Ride through the haunted woods at the 2023 Halloween Howl
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- Riders are encouraged to decorate their machines for the ride through the haunted woods at the 2023 Halloween Howl.
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- Another machine decorated for the ride through the haunted woods at the 2023 Halloween Howl.
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- Lynn Blamires
Fall is upon us, as evidenced by the changing colors in the leaves and the preponderance of Halloween decorations. I have a son whose family goes nuts with spooky decorations. With Halloween everywhere, why not celebrate the season on OHV trails in Circleville.
The people who sponsored the Paiute Trail Jamboree offer another reason to ride their OHVs in Piute County.
As a part of the Paiute Trail Jamboree Adventure Series, you are invited to bring your OHV and participate in the fun-filled activities at the 2023 Halloween Howl in the haunted woods of Circleville. This event is becoming more popular every year. Register on the website https://paiutejam.com.
There are no fees to register, but registration is required. The date is Oct. 28. The fun begins at 9 a.m. in Circleville with check-in at the Community Center, 210 South Center St. There is no cap on the number of people who can attend.
A hot breakfast is provided by Papa Rog’s Catering Co. from 9:30-10:30 a.m. It will consist of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, coffee and juice. An optional $12 meal ticket is required.
The ride through the haunted woods is held during the day for the safety of the spooks encountered along the route. A ride through these woods at night would be too scary. A ride through unhaunted woods is frightening enough. To understand what happens at a Halloween Howl, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwdgTm3VyZw.
This is a costume party ride, so don your best spook suit. This is a ride by spooks for spooks. Costumes will be judged after dinner at the Community Center. Riders are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes and to decorate their machines. Prizes will be awarded for best costume and best decorated OHV after the dinner at 5 p.m.
This ride is also a Poker Run. Prizes will be awarded for high and low hands. Poker hands can be purchased for $5 a hand, or increase your chances to win with five hands for $20.
Another chance to win a cash prize will be a 50/50 drawing. Raffle tickets purchased for $1 each will be put into a pot. The tickets will be drawn after dinner. Half the money will go to the winner — the other half will go to help improve the Paiute Trails Jamboree.
There is no guide for this ride. The trail is well marked with cones so riders can spread out to avoid eating dust. Maps are provided to further prevent people from getting lost. Lunch is on your own, but there will be restrooms at the lunch stop.
The route will be determined by the weather. Dana Erikson is the Paiute County outreach coordinator. She said, “While there is snow on the top of the mountain from the last storm, it should be gone before long. We have never had bad weather for the Halloween Howl.”
Dana has lots of trails to choose from to make a successful ride. Circleville is located at a junction with the Fremont Trail that connects Paiute Trails with the Paunsaugunt Trails by Bryce Canyon.
It is also situated on the main Paiute Trail No. 1. This trail makes a 275-mile loop throughout the Paiute ATV Trail System. There are many side trails from which Dana can choose that will provide the best weather for the ride.
The length of the ride for the Howl will be 70 to 80 miles on smooth beginner trails. I have spent a lot of time on the Paiute Trails. They are some of my favorite riding trails.
The ride will end at Circleville in time for festivities beginning at 3:30 p.m. Riders are asked to bring candy for a Trunk-or-Treat. It will be given out in the parking lot of the Community Center. The people of Circleville look forward to this event and come out in support of this great Halloween tradition.
Dinner will be catered at 4 p.m. by Papa Rog’s Catering Co. It will consist of roast beef, mashed potatoes, salad, veggie and dessert. A $22 meal ticket will be required for the dinner.
The prizes for decorated machines and costumes will be awarded after the dinner at 5 p.m. Poker hands will be presented at closing. Prizes will be awarded for the high and low hands, and the 50/50 prize will be awarded.
When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and try celebrating Halloween at the Halloween Howl this year.
Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.