I picked this trail because I have ridden it before as one of the trails offered at the Tri-State Jamboree. I had a GPS track I planned to follow in leading this group, and that is when the trouble began. I could see the track, but I couldn’t bring it in close enough to follow. When I follow a track, I set the altitude on my GPS. It is best at 300 feet above my position.

We staged from the Rodeo Fairgrounds in Gunlock and I led out, turning at what looked like a good access point to the trail. I was on the trail about a hundred yards when I got a message that there was trouble at the back of the line. The property owner was madder than a wet hen.

She had calmed down by the time I got to where she was. I walked up to her and said, “Hello, my name is Lynn Blamires.” She responded, “I am sorry.” It took me a minute to understand that she wasn’t referring to my name, but that she couldn’t allow access through her property.

As we regrouped, I realized that I couldn’t navigate the track I had. I learned that other riders had good tracks that could be followed. I picked Ken and Chris Britton to lead, and I followed with a green flag to signal riders to drop at intersections to give direction to the other riders.

Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Gaining access to the trail north of town by turning left, we traveled up Tobin Wash. We weren’t far into the ride when we came across some evidence of mining. We passed by a strip mine in the Gold Strike Mining District, with layered yellow and white walls looming overhead. Gold and silver were extracted here before the turn of the century. It is also how the trail got its name.

We came to a fork in the road where we found the perfect place for a lunch stop. It wasn’t time for lunch, so we just took a break. This is one of the most enjoyable trails I have ever taken. It was a little like taking a rollercoaster ride. There were tight turns, with steep climbs and descents.

Dropping down into the East Fork of the Beaver Dam Wash, we were surprised to see several homes in such a remote location. I learned that the place is called Motoqua. We enjoyed some fun water crossings through this section.

It is also home to the 831-acre Desert Inn (D.I.) Ranch. The D.I. Ranch was acquired in about 1954 by reputed mobster Moe Dalitz. Its name was derived from the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, which Dalitz owned. The ranch was used as a vacation spot for Dalitz and his family. But it reportedly was also used to discreetly entertain Las Vegas showgirls, high-rolling customers, prostitutes, bodyguards and other assorted Vegas characters. It is now known as the Eagle Springs Ranch. I love riding through Utah’s colorful history.

About 40 miles into our ride, a four-seat Can-Am broke down. The efforts to start the machine were in vain, and there were still 25 miles of challenging trail to negotiate before the ride was over.

Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Determined to tow the vehicle, we backed a RZR up to the machine and hooked a tow rope to the bumper to begin the journey. However, the rope was hooked in the wrong place, so in our effort to tow the Can-Am, we yanked the front bumper off. Reconnecting the rope properly, we began the journey home.

That 25 miles of trail featured some challenging sections. At times, two UTVs had to pull the machine up some of the steep hills. There was a machine tied to the back to prevent it from descending hills too quickly. The tow was successful. They made it back to the fairgrounds and got the crippled machine loaded.

The ride was 65 miles, but my ride was 72 miles as I went back and forth, communicating with the riders. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and have your own adventure on the Gold Strike Trail.

Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.