By: Robert Janis

Utah Trail Machine Association Sets Access to Trails as Priority One

One of the many Poker Runs UTMA holds.

Utah off-highway recreationists are fortunate to have an organization whose formation and agenda is based on assuring access to trails for off-highway riders.

The Utah Trail Machine Association (UTMA) was founded in August, 1986 by Paul Edmunds, Ron Stokes and Dick Brass. Its first project showed immediately that it was serious about its agenda. They were involved with the establishment of the Paiute Trail complete with carbonite signage. The trail is a favorite of Utah ATV riders today.

The mission of the UTMA is to “. . . foster friendships among individuals who enjoy the same interests in the outdoors, protect riding areas belonging to the public, and sponsoring fun and challenging off-road adventures for the family,” said Paul Edmunds, chairman of the Board of Directors of the UTMA.

The organization gets involved with influencing government action that can impact on OHV enthusiasts by working with outside organizations including USA-ALL, a sister organization which was formed out of the UTMA, the BlueRibbon Coalition, and other organizations.

Scouting the trails.

Members also volunteer as ride leaders for various rides throughout the year, explained Edmunds.

Although they do not help to organize local clubs, the organization does work with existing clubs. “We work with local clubs such as the Sage Riders, Rattle Snake Club, Rattlers, Buzzards, and more whenever we are asked to assist,” said Edmunds. “We gave the Rattlers from Colorado about $8,000 to help them keep open riding and racing in the White Wash area of southeast Utah.”

According to Edmunds, the most urgent issue confronting Utah off-highway riders is accessibility to public land. The organization works with USA-ALL and the BlueRibbon Coalition to assure access to as many trails on public land as possible.

The Utah Trail Machine Association sponsors rides that include the ATV riding public. Such rides take place in Utah as well as in other states. The group has done rides in Baja, California that included ATV’ers --both quads and side-by-sides. “We did some 1,000 miles that included a side trip to Guerrero Negro to see and pet the whales,” said Edmunds. “These rides are billed as ‘Motomochila’ or ‘motorized back-pack.’ We travel for five to six days at a time and each rider has a back-pack with everything we need for the duration. The name ‘Motomochila’ was coined by UTMA for its riding membership.”

Cleaning the trails of trash.

The organization does not organize rides with local clubs, but they do participate with other clubs from time-to-time.

There are 275 members of the UTMA and the organization has a database of 500 names that they can mobilize for any issue related to off-highway recreation. Anyone who has an interest in off-road adventures can join the group.

Members can benefit from a variety of programs such as rides that include ATVs sponsored by UTMA each year. Next year the group is considering a ride that includes ATVs to Mexico’s Cooper Canyon and Chihuahua. “This will be a first and a route that has never been attempted by ATVs,” said Edmunds.

The UTMA has a website (www.utma.net) which includes information on rides, how to join UTMA, pictures, and links to other pertinent organizations. There is also a section where members and non-members can offer feedback.