Safety
The following suggestions are intended to make your ATV
ride safe and enjoyable. Your focus on safety should start before
you leave home and continue until all the equipment is put away.
All Jamboree events will be led by competent guides who
are familiar with the trails to be used and the conditions to be met.
There will be enough guides to ensure that everyone takes the right trail
at junctions, and to make sure that no one falls behind the group.
For your own safety and peace of mind and that of the entire group, we require
that every rider stay with the group and follow the assigned guides.
Those who prefer to travel faster than the group and who decide to strike
out on their own are generally the ones who have troubles. All Jamboree
rides are classified as to the difficulty of the trail and necessary rider
skill and experience. Never, ever is for the person that has never
ridden before and requires the very easiest of trails to ride. Beginner,
for the rider with very limited experience on an ATV and who requires easy
trails to ride. Intermediate, for the rider who is somewhat experienced
but is not yet a skillful, competent rider, who requires less challenging
trails to ride. Advanced, for the rider who is more experienced with
no limitations as to his riding ability, and who can handle the most challenging
and demanding trails. We assume that each rider will adequately assess
his own ability and choose those rides which will not offer challenges beyond
his experience of ability. Beginning riders who place themselves in
an advanced group will become a problem to the entire group. We
require that each rider, regardless of age or experience, wear a helmet,
gloves, over-the-ankle boots, shatter-resistant eye protection, long pants
and a long sleeved shirt or jacket while riding. Eye protection
is necessary because branches out over the trail, flying dirt, dust, rock
and insects can get into unprotected eyes. The other safety clothing
is for sudden spills that can be caused by ruts, rocks or roots that can
throw an ATV off course and into a spill. This is especially true
if a rider is traveling too fast for trail conditions or personal ability.
Don't push yourself beyond your limits either in the speed
or distance you plan to travel. Exceeding either limit leads to fatigue
and loss of control which can cause accidents. The Arapeen Trail and
The San Rafael Swell are meant for leisurely travel, not for speed.
Most ATV accidents can be attributed to excessive speed or traveling too
fast for conditions. Accidents may also be caused by excessive dust
and limited visibility. You can minimize dust and increase your riding
safety and enjoyment if you allow 15 to 30 seconds between yourself and
the rider ahead of you. Don't be afraid that the group will leave
you. Each ride has a guide up front and a follow-up person behind
whose job it is to always be the last one in the group and make sure no
one gets left behind. We suggest this spacing as a critical safety
tip.
You should plan to carry plenty of water or other non-alcoholic
liquids. Unless you are used to the aridity of Utah you can
lose more body fluids than you realize, leading to dehydration and exhaustion.
Do not drink water from streams. Giardia, a water borne disease,
is found in all surface waters and can ruin a good vacation.
Etiquette
Certain questions about travel on the Arapeen Trail, in the San Rafael
Swell and other trail systems are common in the minds of those planning
a trip and are not familiar with East Central Utah. Here is information
relating to questions often asked.
Some visitors are astonished at the massive nature of the trail system
and the remoteness of some of the areas. Because of this some have
expressed real concern about encountering wildlife along the trail.
Though there are some wild animals, they are extremely wary of humans, unless
they are protecting their young.
Some species of wildlife are fairly common and encountering these can
significantly enhance the experience of the Arapeen trail. Mule deer
are common to the area and can be seen on any part of the trail, particularly
at dusk. The Manti/Lasal National Forest is also home to large herds
of elk and in the San Rafael Swell you may find Desert Big Horn Sheep.
At times the deer and Bighorn Sheep will stand and watch you long enough
for you to get your camera out for pictures. Elk are more wary, so
when you spot them it's best to already have the camera ready. To
view or photograph these animals, stop your ATV but leave the engine running
and remain on the vehicle. Changes in sound or sudden movement will
startle the animals. Chasing wildlife is illegal because it stresses
them and could lead to their death.
The area around the Arapeen ATV Trail is a popular wintering area for
both golden and bald eagles. Some remain year round, so you may see
one of these majestic birds as you travel along the trail. Other animals
often seen along the trail include coyotes, ground squirrels, chipmunks
and numerous species of song birds. The best way to shoot any of these
wildlife is with the camera. Above all, do not harass
the wildlife, remember this is their habitat and you are only a visitor.
Skunks, rattlesnakes and badgers are also present in the area.
If you encounter one in the middle of the trail, common sense should tell
you to stay your distance until it decides to leave or you can find a safe
route around. Then you can use the encounter to spice up the description
of the trip to the folks back home.
Most of the trail system is on public lands where ranchers have permits
to graze cattle and sheep. Consequently, you may see them on any part
of the trail. They are completely harmless. When encountering
cows or sheep simply reduce your speed and continue driving. They
will get out of the way. Remember that these cows and sheep belong
to someone so do not harass them unnecessarily. There are gates along
the trail separating pastures or land ownerships. Always leave
these gates as you find them; open if you find them so, or closed if they
were closed when you arrived.
Some area of the Forest and BLM are closed or restricted to motorized
travel to protect wildlife habitat, watershed conditions or other recreational
opportunities. When riding, remember not to trespass on private property
and stay on designated trails. Remember, that riding on trails on
public lands is a privilege that is already being closely scrutinized by
environmentalists, politicians and land managers. If you stay on designated
trails, 'tread lightly', carry out any garbage and generally leave the land
as you found it, you will help to preserve your right to ride on public
lands.
There are several factors that should be considered due to the high elevation
of the trails. Elevations along the trails range from 5,000 to 11,000
feet above sea level. Because of the elevation and low oxygen levels,
people with respiratory problems or heart conditions should consult a doctor
before leaving home. Also, people coming directly from near sea level
must be aware that their physical stamina will be affected until they become
acclimatized.
Another result of the trail's high elevations is temperature fluctuations.
first, with over a mile of relief between high and low points, there can
be a 20 to 30 degree temperature difference along the trail. Second,
it is common to have a 40 degree temperature change from morning to night.
Along with these temperature fluctuations is the fact that it never really
gets too warm at 11,000 feet. As a result you should always
carry warm clothing even if the weather appears mild at the start of the
ride. You should also make sure your ATV is properly jetted for this
altitude.
Pre-planning is the key to a successful trip. Once you embark on
the trail, you are in a different world with few support services.
It is important that you have everything you might need. This includes
having enough fuel, tire repair and other minor repair supplies to get from
one filling station to the next. The trail system is so extensive
that even though there may be hundreds of people riding the trail at the
same time, you may go for hours and even all day without meeting anyone.
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