ATV Adventures: Slots are filling up for the 16th Annual Bryce ATV Rally
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- The rock resembling one of the Easter Island heads is a highlight of the ride through Casto Canyon.
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- On the Lyme-Kiln Trail, one of the trails offered at the Bryce ATV Rally.
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- The ride through Casto Canyon is like riding through Bryce Canyon outside the park.
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- On the Lyme-Kiln Trail, one of the trails offered at the Bryce ATV Rally.
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- Lynn R. Blamires tries to keep his hat on while riding the Musket Shot Trail.
Panguitch is gearing up to host the 16th Annual Bryce ATV Rally, showcasing matchless scenery found only in the area of Bryce Canyon. The dates are set for Aug. 13-16, and registration is open at brycerally.org.
The $135 registration is a bargain for what it includes: three breakfasts, one dinner on Saturday, the choice of a rally T-shirt or hat, and a raffle ticket to win a grand prize — $3,000, $1,000, two $500 cash prizes or a registration to the next Bryce ATV Rally.
The Rally cap has been reduced to 250 for this year’s rally. That refers to people and not machines. At this time, the Rally tally stands at 160 and is filling up quickly. It is essential to register promptly, as the cap was reached early last year, and the fee will increase to $145 on Aug. 1. The rides offered at the Bryce Rally are limited to 25 machines, but riders may take self-guided rides in smaller groups.
Wednesday, Aug. 13, is a travel day for riders with check-in at 3 p.m. and an opening social at 6 p.m. The Garfield County Fair Building at 745 N. Main St. in Panguitch is the headquarters for the rally. The social will also feature Bingo at $1 per card.
Rides begin after a 6 a.m. breakfast on Thursday. Because of the large territory covered by this event, rides depart in two groups — 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The early departure is for the longer rides and those that require trailering to the staging area.
Thursday also features an ATV parade before dinner at 6 p.m., where all the participants ride through Panguitch to show off their machines. After dinner, a bonus night ride is offered. Night rides are fun because I have a reason to turn on all my lights, and a night ride is a completely different experience.
The website includes descriptions and pictures of the ride choices. There are rides on the Paunsaugunt Trails by the beautiful Tropic Reservoir, the Markagunt Trails in the Dixie National Forest, and the Fremont Trails. Here are my top choices:
Trail No. 1: Circleville, Dog Valley — Moderate
This is a quicker-paced ride along the Fremont trail on a gradual climb up the beautiful Mt. Dutton. Descending into Circleville, lunch will be at a restaurant in town. The return trip will be up into the Beaver Mountains and back into the Panguitch Valley. This a fun ride that has some Western history about Butch Cassidy who was born in Circleville
Trail No. 2 : Casto Canyon — Moderate
While this ride has a 50-inch width restriction, it is one of the most famous in Utah. It is outside of Bryce Canyon, but the hoodoos you will see in this canyon will make you think that you are in the park. Lunch will be at the top of Peterson Point, where you will have great views of Panguitch City, and the surrounding valleys. Your camera is a must on this ride.
Trail No. 7: Paunsaugunt Rim/Straight Canyon Loop — Moderate
Riders will travel through Proctor Canyon, drop down to Tropic Reservoir, and ride down the East Fork Road to Crawford Pass. Much of the trip will be spent on the Paunsaugunt Rim with its spectacular overlooks and majestic views. There is a 68-inch width restriction on this ride.
Trail No. 14: Mammoth Cave — Moderate
The ride will proceed from Rally Headquarters through sagebrush-covered flats, up into aspen and pine-covered mountains. Riding the rim of a canyon, where you will have wonderful views of the valley below. It continues along a large lava flow to Mammoth Creek and Mammoth Caves, where lunch will be enjoyed, along with time to explore some of the caves.
Trail No. 16: Left Hand Collet Canyon — Intermediate
This is a high-desert OHV experience new to the rally this year. The trail leads through narrow canyons where the shadows of towering rock walls stretch long in the afternoon sun, evoking the feeling of a frontier once inhabited by outlaws who sought refuge in these hidden passages. The path is often dotted with jagged outcrops and canyons, forcing riders to navigate around tight turns, through sandy washes.
There are 16 trails offered at this year’s rally, and each one is a ride to remember. Review the pictures and description of each ride at brycerally.org. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and join the fun at the Bryce ATV Rally.
Lynn R. Blamires can be reached at quadmanone@gmail.com.
