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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