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Safety & Etiquette
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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 Tri-State ATV
Trails 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.
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Etiquette
Certain questions about travel on the Tri-State ATV Trails, and other trail systems are common in the minds of those planning a
trip and are not familiar with Southern 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 Tri-State ATV Trails. Mule
deer are common to the area and can be seen on any part of the trail,
particularly at dusk. At times the wildlife 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 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.
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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