NEW: Hatch-Panguitch-Paunsaugunt-Strawberry Pt-Aquarius-Hells Hole

Now that title is a mouthful; but, these additions to the southwestern region of the Utah Trails Master Map are a lot to talk about.   [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: http://offroadinghome.djmed.net/]

Offroading Home had an anonymous trail submission (at least that's what it turned out to be) of several trails which followed legitimate satellite image landmarks when verified; but, which attempts to verify the submitter failed.

We are most willing to accept any off road trail that we can receive, but always perform some verification (which obviously takes more time without the help of the submitter) so feel much more comfortable with the data when we can communicate back and forth a little. Unfortunately, this has to lower the priority level for posting and sometimes prevents them from being added at all.

In fact, it is due to the inherent various levels of credibility of information that some time ago we began including source and verification status on all the trail placemarks. That is why you should always look at the trailhead description before you look at the trail in order to better understand how much you want to verify the ride yourself before you go.

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.”
John Lubbock

ADDITIONALLY, these trails are a great opportunity for you to GIVE A LITTLE BACK to the off road community!

ANY unverified trail should be seen as a plea for you to REMEMBER TO TAKE AND TURN ON YOUR GPS UNIT when you take the ride – so you can send it in for others to see.

And remember, while you are at it, set a few waypoints, take a few photos and try and remember difficult pinch-points so you can advise others coming behind you. Today's trails are through some of the most beautiful areas in Utah and at least two of them are part of the Great Western Trail System.

Hatch-Panguitch Loop Trail

Description: Difficulty: nr/10 only known for ATVs; Scenic: nr/10; 130 miles; FULL day.
Location: Start: Town of Hatch Utah; End: Same.
Things to see: Town of Hatch, Panquitch Lake, Panguitch, Casto Canyon and Red Canyon. Access to other area trails.
Source/Maps: Anonymous submitted trail; BLM: St George.

Hatch-Paunsaugunt Trail

Description: Difficulty: nr/10, only known for ATVs; Scenic: nr/10; 55 mi. All day.
Location: Start: Town of Hatch; End: Same.
Things to see: Town of Hatch, Paunsaugunt trail west of Bryce Canyon. Access to other area trails.
Source/Maps: BLM: St George.

Strawberry Point Loop Trail

Description: Difficulty: nr/10, only known for ATVs; Scenic: nr/10; 35 mi. 1 Day.
Location: Start: On Duck Creek Ridge Road in Duck Creek Utah; End: Same.
Things to see: Lots of red rock, lakes, trees and all the things that go with it in this area. Access to other area trails.
Source/Maps: Anonymous submitted trail;

Great Western Trail: Aquarius Trail

Description: Difficulty: nr/10, only known for ATVs; Scenic: nr/10; 30 mi. 3/4 day.
Location: Start: Intersection of 100 S and Main in Bicknell; End: Same.
Things to see: Part of the Great Western Trail system.
This trail travels portions of two other listed trails: Boulder Tops and Posey Lake. Traveling through both desert and tall pines, streams, lakes, reservoir, deer and antelope are seen. Access to other area trails.
Source/Maps: Anonymous submitted trail; BLM:

Great Western Trail: Hells Hole View Loop Trail (Partial)

GWT: Hells Hole View Loop Trail (Partial)
Description: Difficulty: nr/10, only known for ATVs; Scenic: nr/10; 20 mi.; 0.5 Day.
Location: Start: Utah-24 2.3 miles southeast of Bicknell; End: Same.
Things to see: Velvet Ridge, hills of bentonite, Sandy Creek, view of Hell's Hole, cliff's and rock formations. Access to other area trails.
Source/Maps: Anonymous submitted trail;