Utah is too great!

What else can I say?  It is too great in its size and too great in its opportunity for ATV riding.    It would take one person at least 10 years to ride and document all the open legal trails in Utah.   The Governor of Utah, the Honorable Michael Leavitt, has asked for volunteers to come forward and assist in the effort to document the trails in Utah.   This web site is a direct result of that request.

Every trail and back road that remains un-documented is a risk of being declared "roadless" by those who would wish to close the opportunity of public access to public lands.   Without evidence of there being an open and legal trail such designation is quite likely.

The vision of Utah ATV Trails is to form a cadre of individuals who would prepare themselves appropriately for legal rides in Utah and following such a ride, to document it with written descriptions, GPS tracks that can be turned into maps and pictures of their riding venues.   These individuals will be called TRAIL SPECIALISTS.  Ideally, there would be at least one Trail Specialist for each National Forest Ranger District and BLM District office.

It would be up to the Trail Specialist in each area to get to know the staff of the Ranger District or BLM office where they ride and use these professionals as a source of information regarding the trails and roads where ATV riding is permitted.  The Trail Specialist would obtain all appropriate maps from such offices and send in a copy to the Utah ATV Trails web site office.  The Trail Specialist would likely become a resource of information for the various management offices too.  After all, we are the ones out riding the trails, not stuck behind a desk somewhere or out apprehending desperadoes who are poaching or committing other criminal acts..  We would want to report areas of concern and damage or misuse so that appropriate maintenance can be conducted.

The Trail Specialist would provide the following tools for this project

Trail Specialists will research rides in advance by consulting with maps and local management authorities/land owners.  Once a trail is determined to be open and legal the initial facts will be reported to Utah ATV trails web site along with the intended schedule for the ride.  Other riders will be invited to participate in the ride, on the Future Rides page (but none may volunteer).  Following a ride the trail will be documented in a similar fashion and format as presently exists on the Utah ATV Trails web site.  The text, maps, GPS tracks and digital photos will be sent within one week via e-mail to Utah ATV Trails for publication. Other important information that comes to the attention of the Trail Specialists will also be welcomed for inclusion in the Utah ATV Trails Newsletter.   Trail Specialists would agree to research, ride and fully document at least 5 legal ATV trails/roads each year.

A Trail Specialist is a volunteer.  The only pay you will receive for investing thousands of dollars in tools and toys is the satisfaction that you are doing all you can legally and appropriately do to preserve the opportunity to enjoy the State of Utah via ATV.

Here are the benefits of being a Trail Specialist:

The specific requirements are:
  1. You must be at least 21 years old.
  2. You must have good oral and written communication skills.
  3. You must be fluent in the use of the computer and the internet.  The ability to build web pages is useful and preferred, but not required.
  4. You must provide your own tools as noted above.
  5. You must agree to the Trail Specialist code of  conduct and the waiver of liability.
Couples who ride and write together are most certainly welcome.

The writing style we seek is "friendly, humorous (where possible), accurate and informative."  It is not our intent disparage any groups or agencies.  We will report the truth.

Due to the vast areas covered by some BLM and Forest Service District offices there may be multiple (two, or three) Trail Specialists who are accepted in each District area.  Trail Specialists may volunteer for multiple areas.  It is anticipated that Trail Specialists will coordinate their efforts with other Trail Specialists who volunteer within the same designated areas.  Trail Specialists may document trails beyond the scope of their normal specialty area, provided they have done the appropriate preparation in determining the legality of the riding area in advance.

One of the things that has made Utah so great is the fact that it was built by people who were willing to devote time and sacrifice much for the improvement of their community.  Utah is noted to have more public roads, canals, churches, schools and other public amenities in a shorter time than most other states in the nation.  Why is this?  It is because people just like you and I were willing to do it without being paid for it.  Whether you just arrived in Utah and want to learn about it on the ground level, or have been a resident for 80 generations, you are welcome to participate and document this great state for the fun and enjoyment of our fellow residents.  Who knows?  Perhaps our joint effort web site may be the source of bringing thousands of additional tourists to our state.

How do you apply to be a Trail Specialist?

It is simple.  Applications are accepted via e-mail.  Simply prepare a description of an ATV ride you have taken recently and submit it to Utah ATV Trails.   If your document is complete and appropriate, you will be contacted via e-mail by  Utah ATV Trails for a telephone or personal interview.  If you wish to have further information, please contact Utah ATV Trails.

Utah ATV Trails is not associated in any way with any State, Federal or Local Governmental agency, except as volunteers may coincidentally be primarily employed by such entities.  Donations of time and resources to fulfill this important role are not presently tax deductible in any way.  It is not a club or association.  Trail Specialists will be encouraged to be actively invovled in thier local ATV/OHV club or organization.