Monticello, UT - The 10th
Annual San Juan ATV Safari takes place on Sept. 13-15
in San Juan County, UT, with Blanding serving as this year's
host city. An incredible three-day adventure, the San Juan ATV Safari is
organized for participants to select three trail rides out of 18 options,
ranging from paths that lead to the top of the Blue
Mountains to the depths of the surrounding canyons.
The trail system ratings range from "easy" to
"expert," with suggestions for families. Rides are lead by knowledgeable
volunteer guides who help to interpret the landscape and inform the geology and
history of this spectacular area of southeastern Utah. The event includes a Wednesday night
social ATV Night Ride onto Abajo
Mountain, in addition to
the three daytime excursions, plus a banquet dinner at the end of the event on
Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012.
"The ATV Safari provides the opportunity to experience
the endless beauty and diversity of Utah's Canyon Country in small groups, on
trails that are well-cared for, with guides who have intimate knowledge of the
area," Lynne Shumway, board president of the ATV Safari, said. "It also gives
people who travel here the chance to visit many other remarkable places in the
area like Monument Valley and Lake
Powell."
Some of the notable sites and trails include: Newspaper Rock
on the Bridger Jack Trail, which is a petroglyph panel etched in sandstone that
records perhaps 2,000 years of human activity in the area; John's Canyon Trail
begins near the famed Gooseneck State Park and travels along a ridge
overlooking the San Juan River, then travels up into historic John's Canyon,
which is home to numerous archaeological sites. The La Sal Pass Trail traverses
Manti La Sal National Forest on the southwest side of Mt. Tukuhnikivatz,
which stands at 12,482 ft. and offers great high country scenery. The Table of
the Sun trail is highly scenic with views of Cedar Mesa, Fry
Canyon and Red Canyon
and an Indian Rock Art panel. The Wooden Shoe Trail edges along the National Bridges
National Monument, home to three
majestic natural bridges and the Abajo
Mountains.
Trail rides will originate from both Blanding and Monticello. Each
excursion group is small and is led by three experienced ATV riders. The San
Juan Safari is respectful to the environment and maintains the standard of
leaving the trails better than it was found.
Registration is $100 per rider, $300 for a family or group
of four riders.
For more information visit http://www.sanjuansafari.com, e-mail
sanjuanatvsafari@yahoo.com or call (800) 574-4386.
