By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab County Commissioners told Manti-LaSal Forest
Service representatives that they would like to see a trail,
like the Arapeen Trail in Sanpete County, developed in Juab
County
Tom Shore and Alice Carlton, representing the Forest
Service, met with commissioners to discuss an upcoming
meeting where commissioners will be asked for input
concerning the Manti-LaSal district located in Juab
County.
"Right now, you can hop on a 4-wheeler and go all
through the area (where the commission would like to see an
ATV trail developed)," said Robert Steele, commissioner.
Commissioners would like the Red Cliffs or Red Ledges
area developed into an off-road attraction for recreational
vehicle riders.
Neil Cook, commissioner, said that only one-half mile
of the proposed trial would need to be connected to the more
developed path.
Two forest areas in East Juab County are divided by
Salt Creek Canyon.
Uinita National Forest is located to the north of Salt
Creek Canyon, which is traversed by State Road 132, and the
Manti-LaSal Forest is to the south of that same road.
If some rough patches of terrain could be smoothed, so
some extent, then the road could lead all the way to
Gunnison, said Steele.
"The half-mile dugway could even be dug by hand," he
said.
Commissioners told the Forest Service representatives
they would like to see a local group of ATV users involved
in designing and developing the area so that it would be
similar to Sanpete County's Arapeen Trail System which was
built to be ATV-friendly.
"This club, with Jeff Sanders as president, would be
good to lead and teach other ATV users," said Wm. Boyd
Howarth, commission chairman.
If a trail was designed and signed, said Cook, it
would be easier for club members to notice those who
committed infractions. Those rule-breakers could then be
brought to the attention of law enforcement.
Carlton said the Arapee Trail system needed to be
better-signed. That would be one thing a trail in Juab
County would need, as well, good signs.
"This is a good time to talk," said Carlton.
While the Forest Service is discussing the needs of
the county, as a plan revision for the forest is designed,
are being added to the paperwork.
"We will be formulating a full-spectrum of Forest
Service possibilities," she said.
A draft forest revision plan is scheduled for review
in early 2005, she said.
U.S. Forest Service's Bill Broadbear and countless
volunteers completed and put into service a redesign of the
Arapeen Trail system.
The routes, most of which are found primarily in the
Manti LaSal National forest, have been carefully marked and
mapped.
The Arapeen Trail was done to ensure that riders of
ATV's or four wheelers find their way around the some 370
miles that make up the trail system. The redesign, several
years in the making, also includes bridges, culverts and
water bars.
"Some work, done as Eagle projects, has been completed
on Forest Service areas," said Cook. "The work has been
great but it has only touched the tip of the iceberg."
Steele suggested that the area be walked and that a
GPS map be made. He said that the local ATV clubs could help
with the work so that the trial could be built.
"We would really like to see it work," said
Steele.
Many of the trails already exist, said Steele. He said
he had been on many of those trails as a prospector.
However, unless a local rider or someone who very
familiar with the area, is using one of the trails, it is
difficult for a recreationist to find the way back to the
beginning point.
There would be no cost to use the trail system.
On the Arapee Trail, there is a major volunteer
policing and maintenance effort and local riders wear
special vests when they are out on their ATV's.
By doing so they are making sure people stay on the
trails and are offering advice and assistance.
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