ATV Ride Monitor & Merrimac Trail, Utah
Scenic Monitor & Merrimac ATV Trail
On our way out to Utah to experience an overnight rafting trip on the Colorado River, we arrived a few days early to experience the desert surrounding Moab. We found Moab Tour Company online for ATV rentals. I called and booked the trip several months in advance and explained to them that I will be carrying a passenger and the other party was not very experienced on the ATV. They assured us that was fine and they had the perfect trail for us!
Anxious about the trip, I called again a few days before arrival to verify reservations and they were ready for us. My experience with ATV’s is mostly Florida sand, mucky water pits, and Georgia Clay. Riding in the desert amongst the protruding deep red sandstone Buttes and Mesas, over rocks, and sand was something I only dreamed about!
They set me up was a two passenger Can Am Outlander 4×4 ATV, full electronic shifting and power steering. It was not the same as my Honda Foreman but I was up for trying out a new ride! My childhood friend of 35 years flew in from Ohio and was adventurous enough to ride with us. She rode a Honda Fourtrex 300 which also provided electronic shifting.
Passenger on a Climbing Break
ATV on Monitor & Merrimac Trail
Perfect size for a first timer but could also handle the terrain! Our guide Stephen took the time to explain the vehicles and let us “play” around in the parking lot until we were comfortable.
When we arrived at the trail-head, rain clouds were forming. I decided to swap out my trustee Canon Power shot for a Pentax Optio waterproof 10 MP camera that I planned to try out on the rafting trip. We did get a little sprinkle and the photos turned out better than expected. Off we rode up the old switchback jeep trail to ascend into the desert terrain. We rode on a combination of slick rock (hardened sandstone) and red sandy trail as we passed breathtaking red buttes and Mesa’s on either side of us.
The slick rock was named by the early ranchers that rode in Conestoga wagons with iron rimmed wheels. The Horse’s shoes and wagon wheels slid on this smooth hardened sandstone making their travels rough. On rubber tires, this slick rock has the complete opposite affect. It should be renamed Stick rock! The rubber tires nicely grip the surface allowing for increased traction on inclines. When going down a steep slope, it is normal to brake…but on slick rock braking could cause an endo over the front handle bars if your not careful. I found letting off the throttle was all that was needed on these slick rock downhills.
ATV Riding on Slick RockRiding Scenic Monitor & Merrimac Trail
After a while we were like One with our machines and comfortable with the terrain. We were buzzing along blissfully without a care – almost too good to be true. And it was! As we came out of a wash, we spotted two little girls, ages 12 & 8, waving us down the side for help. Apparently they were not too far from camp but had put a Grizzly 700 into a ditch. We comforted the two girls as they told us their story. Our guide was the hero as he skillfully worked that machine out of the ditch and the prickly bush that cushioned their crash. We took them 1.5 miles back to thier camp where their parents gratefully offered thanks and appreciation. The trail was fun but it felt good to help someone in this harsh terrain. We silently rode back to the trail head feeling good. We all had a great day!
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About the Author: Barbara is the owner of an on-line store Riverbanks Outdoor Store for several years and has frequently engaged in outdoor sports for years including camping, mountain biking, whitewater rating, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking. Barbara also hosts a blog Riverbanks Adventure Forum that focuses on product reviews and adventure vacations.
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