Red Mountain and Beyond
Near Vernal, Utah

by Todd Adams

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There is a new playground for us emerging in north east Utah. For the last several months I have heard rumors of some awesome trails in the Vernal Utah area. Then all of a sudden ARCA (American Rock Crawlers Association) is holding one of their events there July 21-22 ,2000.

I was invited by the High Country 4wheel Drive Association on a run up Red Mountain. In this small group was race truck driver Walker Evans who has recently turned his attention to rock crawling competition. This trip however, he was in the passenger seat of Kevin Hawkins new ride.

Lance making his way up the slickrock at the start of Red Mountain Trail

This trail is a bit close in spots and most of the locals drive full size rigs!

Kevin and his Teal Blue Flat Fender have been featured many times in the 4 wheeling magazines. Kevin just finished building this very trick YJ which is ready for the rock crawling championships, but has teamed up with his good friend Walker as his spotter for the ARCA events. Walker himself has a new ride which was featured on the cover of the August issue of Off-Road Magazine.

Also along for the ride was Rock Crawling Championship competitor Craig Stumph. I went with Craig and spotter/son Dallas to the Warn sponsored event last year on the Hammer Trails. Having these competitors along with us normal folk proved to be interesting later in the day when we followed on foot and watched what could only be called "bet you can’t do this" in a boulder filled wash bottom.

Brian making his way up Commando Corner

Lehi gets a bit to close to a tree

We started the day by heading north of Vernal to the start of the Red Mountain Trail. It starts off by climbing a section of Navaho Sandstone very similar to the Moab area. The trail then enters a pinion and juniper forest. The way up Red Mountain has many rock ledges that warmed more than a few tires.

There is one notable obstacle about half way up, which is now known as Commando Corner. The group decided on this name, for the way Craig went straight up through a section of boulders that did not look doable to any of the rest of us.

Craig shows us a unique way of getting the job done on Commando Corner

Linda thinks she is in Moab

At the top of the mountain sits an old log cabin where we stopped to eat lunch. We had the choice of continuing the loop or back down the way we came up to play on the slick rock. It was decided to go back.

On Commando Corner I didn’t get the line I wanted coming off and came about as close as I ever want to come to a tip over. My 10 year old daughter Megan, who had been napping on the way up, thanked me for not rolling the Jeep over at the bottom. Needless to say we got our excitement for the day.

Craig and Kevin in the rocks

Walker spotting Kevin

The southern section of Red Mountain is so Moab like it was uncanny. Vast expanses of slick rock and even an arch at the end of this short trail that we had been lead on.

The day was almost at a close when we were taken into a small canyon that could best be described as a 21 Road clone. Huge boulders and tight turns up the dry wash had most of us park and walk. It was here that the real rock crawling took place. Kevin being spotted by Walker and Craig by Dallas showed us what is was all about. My wife Linda who had not gone with us last year, got to ride with Craig up this canyon. She wants more! I know what she really wanted was to drive.

Troy, who had to leave his ailing rig behind, watches as Craig and Linda climb the big rocks

This is a normal view of Craig’s rig if you go wheeling with him

Teasing Kevin about some minor scratches to his brand new rig, he shrugged and called it just maintenance. I know Craig had fun by the evidence of more roll bar damage. It had been a long day but well worth the drive out to Vernal. We all headed home with big grins on our faces. I can't wait to get back and see what else this area has to offer. Thanks to Lehi & Joni and all the rest of the HC4WDA bunch.

The great bunch of people in the High Country 4wheel Drive Association will be hosting the Utah 4-Wheel Dive Association’s Summer Convention this year August 4-6. You don’t have to live in Utah or be a member of U4WDA to come out to this event. Up to 4 trails will be run each day. Advance registration is required this year and can be done by contacting Daynene at (801) 963-1913. For further information about the trails and area around Vernal Utah, You can contact the High Country 4wheel Drive Association at:

High Country 4wheel Drive Assoc.
HC 65, Box 102
Altonah, UT 84002
1-435-454-3487
1-775-306-5919 (fax)
1-877-781-3400 (toll free info line)

hicountry4wd@ubtanet.com (e-mail us) http://www.hc4wda.rockcrawler.com (web page)

ARCA: http://www.rockcrawler.org/

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