ATVUtah Forum - Offroading in the age of COVID-19

BruteForce

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Offroading in the age of COVID-19
03/23/20 at 06:03:56

Not my original material, borrowed from another site:

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Facts/News/Area closures - These are the closures and travel orders that I know about - if you've got news of more, post them up (preferably with a web link) and I'll add them.

National Parks

Most National Parks are still open. Most visitors centers will be closed, some campgrounds may be as well. Check before you go: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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NPS.gov statement of operations: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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Rocky Mountain National Park in CO is closed: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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Canyonlands National Park in UT has closed ALL backcountry camping: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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Utah

State Parks: At this time, Great Salt Lake Park is the only one that is closed, but campgrounds and visitors centers are closed in several more (of note, Goblin Valley and Dead Horse). Check here for updates before you go: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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Grand, Carbon, and Emory Counties are discouraging visitors. Hotels and campgrounds are not allowed to rent to non-residents, and distributed camping is not allowed. To the best of my knowledge, day trips into the area are still allowed. Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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Colorado

San Juan County Sheriff's office has prohibited ALL recreational activity in the County: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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JUAN COUNTY PRESS RELEASE_SJC_015_FINAL_0.pdf

Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation is under shelter-in-place orders. I don't see where travel across the Nation by outsiders is prohibited at this time, but it would be respectful to stay away for now, and safe to assume that all Tribal Parks are closed. Link: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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Best Practices

So you found somewhere to go, you're packed and ready to hit the road. A dirt road or singletrack in the middle of nowhere might seem like the absolute safest place to be with respect to COVID-19, but many rural communities are very concerned about slowing the spread of the virus and not overwhelming their limited medical facilities. The risk comes when we stop in their small towns for food and gas. If we choose to leave our communities and recreate in somebody else's in these times, the least we can do is be aware of those concerns and respect them. The following are purely suggestions on my part, and I'm happy to edit this section on the fly to incorporate other great suggestions and community consensus when it comes to this stuff. As always when you are traveling, be considerate and let common sense prevail.

First, please obey area closures and restrictions. Not only do you incur the risk to yourself of fines (or prison time) if you're caught, but you give us all a bad name whether you're caught or not. If a local authority has declared a certain area off limits or prohibited a certain activity, let's respect that and if we have to fight it, let's fight it the right way instead of ignoring it.

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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #1 - 03/23/20 at 06:51:00

This weekend my wife and I went for a ride in our Ranger in the Pakoon area, and along Motoqua Road, and farther north toward Enterprise Reservoir. The first thing we noticed was that there were a whole lot of people camping out there. Every ridge line had a camp set up on it, every pull off area along the first 20 miles of Motoqua Road had someone camped there. Then we noticed that these were not typical campsites for someone that had come out to camp for the weekend. These were campsites for people that had planned on staying a long time, perhaps months, based on the amount of gear around camp, the tarps covering everything up, and the large plastic water storage containers, one of which was at least 1000 gallons in size. The preppers have left the city, and are planning to survive the end of the world.

Chances are, if you go offroading in the age of COVID-19, there will already be other people where you are going offroading. I've never seen so many people in this area, there were far more than even on the opening day of dear season.

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BruteForce Super Sponsor Offline Posts: 8645 Garfield County, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #2 - 03/23/20 at 10:20:20 Mike and I observed plenty of folks looking to be living in/around the open desert near Littlefield, AZ and the Joshua Tree National Reserve.
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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #3 - 03/25/20 at 08:20:13

A message from Grand County, Utah:

Quote:

Grand County Search and Rescue
·

Advice from Grand County Sheriff's Office Division of Search and Rescue, adapted from a recent message sent out by the Mountain Rescue Association.

As a reminder, all lodging and camping in Grand county are currently closed to visitors. Unless you are just planning a day trip, you should delay your visit to the Moab area until the current threat subsides. With current restrictions prohibiting congregating in large groups, many people are turning to the outdoors for recreation. We would like to caution everyone that now is not the time to attempt that epic bike ride, 4WD trail, or canyoneering adventure. It is a time to be conservative in your choice of activity or trail.

During this time, we ask all backcountry users to enjoy our county in a safer and more conservative manner than usual. We are not asking you to cease outdoor activity or stay out of the backcountry. We are asking you to do everything in your power to avoid needing our services.

SAR teams across the nation now face an additional threat above and beyond the usual hazards. It is important to remember that not all carriers of the virus are symptomatic. You may feel fine and inadvertently infect a rescuer. Or a rescuer may feel fine and inadvertently infect you. It’s best for everyone if you don’t get injured or lost. Please choose your activity very carefully and responsibly.

Research any trails thoroughly before you go. Consider opting for easier trails or even a hike instead of something more challenging.

The Grand County COVID-19 Community Task Force and Grand County Sheriff's Office is asking that the visiting public complies with the requirements placed on our county by the Southeast Utah Health Department , and understand the risks you will be adding to our community by non-compliance. With limited healthcare response capabilities, just one tourist who needs to be hospitalized (from COVID-19 or other injures) occupies one of the 17 hospital beds we have for all medical emergencies for the entire county.

The Grand County Sheriff's Office is a full-service agency that includes Patrol, Investigations, Court Security, Dispatch, Emergency Management, and Search & Rescue Divisions. We are proud to oversee the public safety for our residents and 2.5 million annual tourists who visit the 3,684 square miles that comprise Grand County, Utah.

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BruteForce Super Sponsor Offline Posts: 8645 Garfield County, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #4 - 03/25/20 at 14:20:55 Idaho is now locked down.
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Rutcutter Aristocrat Sponsoring Member Offline I Love Utah! Posts: 521 Plain City/Mt. Pleasant, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #5 - 03/25/20 at 21:01:42 Glad I came home, Utah will get locked down I'm sure.
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BruteForce Super Sponsor Offline Posts: 8645 Garfield County, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #6 - 03/26/20 at 05:28:18 Summitt County, Nevada and Colorado now on "Stay at home" orders.
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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #7 - 03/26/20 at 11:43:49

So, what's everyone doing now that most every ATV Jam has cancelled, most Utah counties aren't allowing overnight camping, restaurants are only doing take-out/curbside ??

If weather improves this weekend, I hope to head out West..maybe Grassy Mountains or somewhere North of I-80 where it shouldn't be too muddy and away from just about everyone, but especially my computer & phone!

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Rutcutter Aristocrat Sponsoring Member Offline I Love Utah! Posts: 521 Plain City/Mt. Pleasant, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #8 - 03/26/20 at 12:02:02 When I went out and played last weekend it was meant to be a release from the stresses I had been dealing with with my family and extended family for months. I had a great time in Arizona......That said, THIS week has been more stressful than what I was dealing with before. I will be staying home for a while.
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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #9 - 03/26/20 at 12:56:53

Rutcutter wrote on 03/26/20 at 12:02:02:

When I went out and played last weekend it was meant to be a release from the stresses I had been dealing with with my family and extended family for months. I had a great time in Arizona......That said, THIS week has been more stressful than what I was dealing with before. I will be staying home for a while. Embarrassed

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BruteForce Super Sponsor Offline Posts: 8645 Garfield County, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #10 - 03/26/20 at 15:06:35 Little Sahara Recreation Area Temporarily Closed
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Flipper Super Sponsor Offline I love to ride! Posts: 2338 Allegan, Mi Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #11 - 03/26/20 at 16:45:10 I was going to head to West Virginia and ride the Hatfield McCoy trails next week along with the "outlaw" trails. Just found out today the H/M trails are shut down.
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BruteForce Super Sponsor Offline Posts: 8645 Garfield County, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #12 - 03/26/20 at 17:02:29 So, think we're going to jump in the Jeep and run to the Newfies via the bombing range & train grade. Who else is going to get out and distance themselves?
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Flipper Super Sponsor Offline I love to ride! Posts: 2338 Allegan, Mi Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #13 - 03/27/20 at 06:56:56 Just read this today Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to or !! ng-urgent-restrictions/
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Rutcutter Aristocrat Sponsoring Member Offline I Love Utah! Posts: 521 Plain City/Mt. Pleasant, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #14 - 03/27/20 at 16:53:00 Just on a Breaking News alert : Utah State parks will only be open to the people who live in the counties where they are located. We are not locked down, but if people don't heed the warnings it will come.
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3TV Wind Bag Online Posts: 1105 Southern Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #15 - 03/27/20 at 17:15:31 Well I spent the whole day away from people, doing my part at social distancing.
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3TV Wind Bag Online Posts: 1105 Southern Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #16 - 03/27/20 at 17:16:50 Nobody in sight, and a cold crisp day in the mountains. The best kind of day.
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Rutcutter Aristocrat Sponsoring Member Offline I Love Utah! Posts: 521 Plain City/Mt. Pleasant, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #17 - 03/27/20 at 18:12:49 That's a great picture!
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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #18 - 03/31/20 at 14:01:21

Carbon, Emery, Grand, San Juan and I think I saw a “please stay away” notice from Duchesne? Of course all these predates the state of Utah’s mandate that we don’t recreationally travel outside of ones home county.

I had heard Kane and Wayne were making it official as well, but can’t confirm.

Add Juab to the list as well...

So, in addition to the national parks, most of the State of Utah is saying to not travel outside your county.. Embarrassed

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BruteForce Super Sponsor Offline Posts: 8645 Garfield County, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #19 - 03/31/20 at 16:46:42 Central Utah District just reported their 1st confirmed case. I would suspect it's only a matter of time before these county commissioners hop on the "only in-county/essential service" band wagon (looks like Juab already has). The district is Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, and Wayne counties.
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BruteForce Super Sponsor Offline Posts: 8645 Garfield County, Utah Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #20 - 04/05/20 at 14:38:44 Lake Powell now closed to boating. I'd love to understand government thinking. Its seemingly okay for hundreds to be in a Walmart, but you can't take a boat out onto Lake Powell..
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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #21 - 04/05/20 at 21:15:59

I think part of the reason is that a lot of out of state people come to Lake Powell as a destination place. It is even more this way with Zion National Park, where 75% of the people in the park are from out of state. They shouldn't be there because of their own travel restrictions. So both places were closed, to keep people home.

Personally, I think getting out on the lake would be one of the best places you could be to keep from catching a virus.

I went offroading today, but stayed within Iron County to obey the states restrictions. I did some exploring on the mountain range between Enoch and Minersville. I've always driven past this area on the way to someplace else, so this was all new terrain for me, and it made it an interesting day. Where I explored was 20 miles farther north and farther west than the Parawon Gap, but was still part of the Parawon Gap section of the Color Country Trail System. One of the trails had been made by a 50" wide bulldozer, across a several mile wide grassy foothill. It would have been a fast ride on an ATV, but not in a Jeep. The bulldozer had turned up countless boulders along the side of the trail. So what would have been a fast cruise on an ATV was a long slow rock crawling section for a Jeep, which made it even more fun. This was the most serious rock crawling I've had this Jeep in yet.

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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #22 - 04/07/20 at 15:30:24

Quote:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2020

Media Contact:
Garfield County
(435)676-1100
falyn@brycecanyoncountry.com

Garfield County Issues Emergency Recreation Order

PANGUITCH, Utah (April 7, 2020) — Garfield County, in cooperation with the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, the BLM, and Southwest Utah Public Health, are working together to issue an Emergency Recreation Order. This order will temporarily close multiple public land locations throughout Garfield County due to impacts related to COVID-19. This order applies to all recreationists, but does not impact ranchers and miners operating under authorized permits.
The order is in effect immediately in the following locations:
• Upper and Lower Calf Creek Falls
• Deer Creek Campground
• All Escalante Canyons
• Devil’s Rock Garden
• Zebra Slot Canyon
• Burr Trail (Long Canyon Slots, Big Pines Camp Area, etc.)
• Irish Canyons including Sandthrax Camping Area
• Hog Springs Canyon
• Star Springs Campground
• North Wash
• Ticaboo/Bullfrog Area
• And all other recreation sites where proper social distancing practices cannot be achieved
Garfield County hopes to remove the order as soon as possible; however, the order is in effect indefinitely. Garfield County Officials recommend following Governor Herbert’s, “Stay Safe, Stay Home” directive during these unprecedented times. When this passes, Garfield County looks forward to again welcoming recreators and visitors to visit the many scenic wonders throughout the area, however during this pandemic it is not the time to vacation.

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Have fun, ride safe, keepem wheels down, and see you at the Jamborees,
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Flipper Super Sponsor Offline I love to ride! Posts: 2338 Allegan, Mi Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #23 - 04/07/20 at 16:25:38 :'(
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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #24 - 04/07/20 at 17:56:21

I suspect the lockdown is also affecting dealer business. Our local Polaris dealership called me today and told me that there is a recall on my Polaris Ranger. Then they came out to my house to pick it up and take it in to have the recall done. I didn't even have to leave my home. They provide really good service anyway, but I suspect some of this was due to business being slow.

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rincom42 Newbies Sponsoring Member Offline I Love Utah! Posts: 14 San Jose, CA. Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #25 - 04/08/20 at 10:46:24 What is the name of you local dealer?
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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #26 - 04/08/20 at 11:10:57

They dropped it off today after completing the service. I remember getting a notice about this recall in the mail a month or so ago. Although mine never had the problem, it was a recall regarding possible engine surging after startup, because the butterfly valves did not close fully at shut off. They re-flashed the computer to fix the problem. I still haven't had to leave home. Triple S Polaris. They have mostly new employees and a new service manager since they moved to their new location, and they have been really good to work with.

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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #27 - 04/08/20 at 16:17:11

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KSL SALT LAKE CITY — Beginning Friday, anyone 18 or order traveling to Utah via Salt Lake City International Airport or through Utah’s major roadways will be asked to fill out a travel declaration form asking them about if they’ve been tested for COVID-19 and if they’ve recently experienced symptoms, Gov. Gary Herbert said on Wednesday.

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Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19
Reply #28 - 04/08/20 at 18:04:39

ATVUtah wrote on 04/08/20 at 16:17:11:

Quote:

KSL SALT LAKE CITY — Beginning Friday, anyone 18 or order traveling to Utah via Salt Lake City International Airport or through Utah’s major roadways will be asked to fill out a travel declaration form asking them about if they’ve been tested for COVID-19 and if they’ve recently experienced symptoms, Gov. Gary Herbert said on Wednesday.

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I heard this too. Was thinking of Jeep'ing to Metropolis, NV this weekend, was told I'd get a Text upon entering Utah..

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Don Parscale Wind Bag Sponsoring Member Offline I Love Utah! Posts: 1252 Tucson, AZ Gender:	Re: Offroading in the age of COVID-19 Reply #29 - 05/03/20 at 11:57:48 We have been doing a lot of off road riding, we go all day and hardly see anyone. DON~~~ Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to or !! Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to or !!
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