1 / 4

A tight squeeze on the Hook and Ladder Trail at the San Juan Safari in Blanding.

Courtesy Lynn R. Blamires

2 / 4

Climbing our way on the Table of the Sun Trail at the San Juan Safari in Blanding.

Courtesy Lynn R. Blamires

3 / 4

On the way to the Monticello Pavilion on Blue Mountain for an evening meal at the San Juan Safari in Blanding.

Courtesy Lynn R. Blamires

4 / 4

Riding the red rock canyons found on the Hook and Ladder Trail at the San Juan Safari in Blanding.

Courtesy Lynn R. Blamires

❮ ❯

This marks the 34th anniversary of the San Juan ATV Safari. This jamboree has been showcasing the beautiful country contained in this southeastern county of Utah for 33 years – it is one of the oldest and smoothest-running jamborees in the state. The 17 trails on the San Juan Safari are uniquely spectacular, beautiful, and exciting.

Registration is open and limited to 350 riders. At this early date, trail choices are plentiful. Riders will submit their trail choices – three for each day at the time of registration online. Regardless of the trails you select, be prepared for a scenic and exciting adventure.  Trails will originate from both Blanding and Monticello, and return to that same starting point each evening.  Some trails will leave from town, while others will require transporting your machine to the trailhead.  Every trail is guided by a group of two or more experienced riders who are familiar with the trail and the sights along the way.  Many of these volunteer guides are long-time residents of San Juan, intimately familiar with the country. Register at https://www.sanjuanatvsafari.com. 

The dates are set for September 16-19. The fees are $135 per rider, $50 for children eight years old and younger. These fees include a jamboree sweatshirt, two dinners, three days of guided rides, and a night ride. Registration is on Wednesday, the 16th. Riders will pick up packets between noon and 4:00 p.m. at the Blanding Visitor’s Center, 12 N. Grayson Parkway. Envelopes will contain information on trailheads. Register by August 1st. After that date, it will be too late to order sweatshirts.

Then, the excitement begins. Riders can choose to leave from the Blanding Visitor’s Center at 5:00 p.m. or from the Monticello Visitor’s Center (216 S. Main) at 5:30 p.m. Guides will lead riders to meet at the Monticello Pavilion on Blue Mountain, where dinner will be served. Twilight in this beautiful mountain setting is memorable. After dinner, people will enjoy a night ride back to their motels.

Rides will leave each morning promptly at 8:00 a.m. Some trails will begin at the send-off points, but most will require some trailering to the trailhead.  The weather is normally pleasant during this time of year, but come prepared for all kinds of weather. Each rider is responsible for lunch on the trail and should bring plenty of water.

Fourteen of the trails are considered UTV-friendly, while three are restricted to machines no more than 50 inches wide. These are some of the trails from which you can choose:

#1 – Bridger Jack – 38 miles

On your way to the trailhead, you will pass Newspaper Rock. Newspaper Rock is a petroglyph panel etched in sandstone that records perhaps 2,000 years of human activity in the area. The trail is rich with red rock and scenic views of North Cottonwood, Lavender Canyon, Salt Creek, Stevens Canyon, and the Six-Shooter Peaks. A favorite ruin is seen across a canyon on this ride.

#6 – Bulldog Blanding – 50 miles

This trail will take you past the Recapture Reservoir and archaeological ruins. You get great scenic views of the Abajo Mountains (or Blue Mountains, as they are locally known). The trail climbs up through 2,500 feet in elevation, from the sagebrush, pinion, and juniper woodlands to the ponderosa forests.

#12 – Jacobs Chair – 28 miles

This ride will make a scenic loop up and around Jacob’s Chair, a prominent geologic feature named after an old-time cattleman named Jacob Hamlin who drowned trying to cross White Canyon during a storm. It continues on old mining roads atop the ridges in the rugged surrounding area. Desert Big Horn sheep inhabit the area.

#13 – Wooden Shoe – 49 miles

Wooden Shoe is a prominent landmark on Elk Ridge. The trail goes by Natural Bridges National Monument, and from Deer Flat, goes around the “shoe” and the “heel” of the Shoe. You will see many historical features along this trail, including old mines, cowboy corrals, and developed springs.

#17 – Elk Ridge – 63 miles

You will travel from South Cottonwood Canyon, through Whiskers Draw, and onto Elk Ridge. The trail crosses the spectacular North Notch that separates Dark Canyon from North Notch Canyon.  You will travel from the desert to the high country and back. This trail is packed with scenic views, archaeological sites, and historical mining sites.

These are only a sample of the 17 rides available. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and join me on this adventure in colorful red rock country.

Lynn R. Blamires can be reached at quadmanone@gmail.com.