My ATV Christmas in July

Last summer i was suffering from a mysterious foot injury and wasn't able to do any significant hiking because of it. The weather was pretty nice though, and it was driving me nuts not being able to get out into the mountains, so i decided to change my strategy. I've wanted an ATV for years, and in July i finally splurged and got one.

Once i had it i had to find out where i could ride it. Initially options seemed limited but soon i found out there were far more places i could use it than i expected, even some trails in a nearby National Park. You learn a lot on every ride, and it wasn't long before i was able to handle intermediate trails and river crossings. Still, i tried to stick close to home for the most part, not, for instance, driving 8 hours out to the Wrangles.

The header picture is from the Birds Creek Trail. The one directly above and below are from the Chain Lakes Trail, which i originally learned about from a ridiculously hardcore mountain biking book. This trail was very challenging for me, and my machine overheated because i was not aware that the previous owner had completely buried the radiator in a brick of thick mud.

I had to turn around here at this great view of Castle Mountain. Thunderstorms were approaching and the wind picked up as it got sucked up into the clouds.

Just above tree line you start getting a good view of the mountains

Just above that is this nice lake.

I got a 2009 Polaris Sportsman 500 EX. After adding a waterproof luggage compartment for the back i was able to put all my photo gear in it and safely ride through deep muddy water. It's allowed me to get to new places i've never been and see mountains previously out of site from areas i could access on foot.

What i've learned so far about ATV riding:

1. When you are riding an ATV you are "Living Life in God's Country"

2. Often ATV's become so damaged they must jettison all excess weight in order to get back safely. Some of the heaviest items are beer cans, and body panels.

3. Although they are equipped with winches and racks that make it super easy to bring along a saw or shovel, ATV riders cannot remove even small fallen trees on the trail. Instead it is necessary to make a new trail, or several new trails, around the fallen tree.

4. Likewise, if there is a 50 yard long deep mudhole on the edge of a bluff such that riding through it causes the water to splash over the side of the bluff, it is impossible to dig a 1 foot deep channel to the bluff edge to assist in draining the puddle.

5. Meeting someone else in full ATV gear is like two Stormtroopers meeting. You have no idea who the other person is, but you assume you are both working for the Empire.

6. Based on the lack of books or websites with useful trail information, i have to assume most ATV riders are illiterate.

8. ATV trails can be so incredibly exhausting to navigate that you may not have any energy left to go hiking when you get to the end of them.

7. Despite all the above, ATV's are awesome.

The Jim Creek area is probably the most popular place for ORV use. It's got marsh, rivers and streams, wide open dirt and gravel, and this cool area of forested sand dunes.

After 12 miles of crossing tributary streams and endless pools i called it quits for the day and turned around here. It's the closest i've been to the Knik Glacier, but it would still take around 12 more miles of riding to get there. Maybe a good overnight trip next summer so i'd have the energy to explore the glacier.

Unfortunately, i have found that riding for several hours seriously affects my tinnitus, even with earplugs. I don't know if it's the vibrations or the extended rides. So this winter i'm pondering weather or not to try to modify the machine to reduce noise and vibrations, or simply stop using it. It's kind of heartbreaking because i've found a new activity that i really enjoy.