ATV Adventures: OHV riding season heating up with two more jamborees
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- One of the amazing views to be seen on the Bryce Canyon Trails.
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- After a long day on the trail, relaxing in front of my cabin at Moore’s Old Pine Inn in Marysvale.
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- Descending the switchbacks across the valley from Marysvale.
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- Riding on the Freemont Trail north of Ruby’s Inn.
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- Lynn Blamires
We have officially entered OWS. For those of you who don’t know, that means “open window season” without freezing weather. I can now wake up in the morning to the musical sounds of a variety of Utah’s songbirds. It also means prime riding weather for OHVs.
Marysvale is situated in the middle of one of the best trail systems Utah has to offer. Dirt Wheels magazine rated the Paiute ATV Trail as one of the top 10 trail systems in the country. It has been rated as one of the top five trails in the country by ATV Illustrated magazine. The first of these jamborees is in Marysvale.
Mama Bear Run — May 11
Come catch the beginnings of spring and celebrate Mother’s Day at the Third Annual Mama Bear Run. This is a poker run beginning at the Community Center, 215 E. 100 North in Marysvale, at 9 a.m.
There are no guides for the trail. It will be marked and maps will be distributed to participants. The route will be adjusted for elevation to avoid mud and snow.
Charges are optional and a la carte. Registration is free, but if you want the catered breakfast of eggs, biscuits and gravy with juice and coffee ($14) or the dinner of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, salad and a drink ($25) after the ride, it will be $39 total.
You can ride free, but if you want to participate in the poker run, it will be $5 a hand or five for $20. T-shirts are $15 for children short-sleeve, $20 for adult short-sleeve, $25 for adult long-sleeve and $35 for an adult hoodie. You can register by typing “Mama Bear Run 2024” into your browser.
The Can-am Crew Rally-in-the-Valley — June 5-8
This is the fifth annual Rally-in-the-Valley and it just keeps getting better. The Can-Am Crew has a jamboree planned that is packed with fun.
Ruby’s Inn is the headquarters for this event and they have offered special rates to participants. The setting for the Rally-in-the-Valley is the beautiful Bryce Canyon Country.
Six trails are offered and each trail is available to ride on each of the three riding days. So if you can’t decide which trail to ride, pick one and ride the other the next day. Because the snow season was so big this year, information on the trails will not be available until registration day on June 5.
Registration for the rally is $120 and includes:
- A rally T-shirt.
- Three days of guided rides.
- A catered dinner.
- Two live concerts.
- A “Light the Night” ride.
- Treats and games.
- A rally decal.
- Snow cones from the Tiki Shack.
- A raffle ticket for valuable prizes to be given away at the rally.
Lunches will be available to purchase for the trail as well as several breakfast options. Children 14 and under can register for the same list of fun activities for $60.
Registration includes a 20% discount on rooms at Ruby’s Inn. Your room comes with breakfast at the buffet.
There is a registration cap, but there are about 75 spots available. The last day to register is May 1.
The rally opens with a “Show n Shine” where people get to show off their rides. It is held first because, after three days of riding, they won’t look so shiny.
After the judging, there will be a 9 p.m. lineup for the “Light the Night” parade. This is where everyone lights up like Christmas trees hoping to get noticed.
The rides begin Thursday with a $20 optional dinner at 6 p.m. followed by a live concert. Friday, the dinner is included as a part of registration and the live concert will feature Muddy Boots. That is the name of the group, not what they are wearing. After the rides on Saturday, the raffle will be held. Somewhere in all of this, the Tiki Shack will be handing out snow cones free of charge.
These jamborees bring the OHV community together to enjoy Utah’s wonderful backcountry, meet new people and support worthy causes. The Rally in the Valley will be doing a “Ride with a Purpose” on Friday to support a local family. Maddox Turnbeaugh was born with some complications, but he has captured the love of a community that wants to help.
Find registration and event details at https://tinyurl.com/4wdrswdn. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and enjoy these opportunities to enjoy the backcountry at one or both of these events.
Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.