Alert OHV Trail Host Discovers Abandoned Snowmobile

OHV Trail Host with the abandoned snowmobile

AMERICAN FORK CANYON — OHV Trail Hosts constantly keep their eyes open for opportunities to help. They are diligent and dedicated to ensuring Utah’s OHV recreation areas are a safe and fun place for everyone to enjoy. Recently, that diligence paid off big time when one trail host discovered an abandoned snowmobile in a ditch.

The trail host, who has asked to remain anonymous, was walking along Forest Road 85 in American Fork Canyon with his family when he noticed the snowmobile off the side of the road. After he investigated further, he noticed that the snowmobile had last been registered in 2010.

Seizing this opportunity to help, the trail host – along with three others – took photos of the machine and its registration. They then submitted a Trail Host Report to the OHV Volunteer Specialist who notified State Park Rangers. The rangers were able to identify the owner of the machine and begin an investigation into how and why it came to be there.

The abandoned snowmobile

With the U.S. Forest Service’s permission, the trail hosts recovered the machine with a winch and stored it at the Forest Service Station. All-in-all, the recovery took less than an hour.

What started as a simple family walk ended up turning into a valued project; all because of one person’s watchful eye and willingness to act on a problem they saw.

The Utah State Parks OHV Program is very proud of the dedicated individuals who make up the OHV Trail Host Team. This is just one of the many examples of the difference a volunteer can make on public land.

The Utah State Parks OHV Program would like remind recreators to always contact the appropriate land-managing agency should they need to leave equipment behind on the trail.

This volunteer opportunity was made possible through funding and partnership with the Utah BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and Division of Parks and Recreation OHV Program.

Curious about upcoming volunteer projects or want to learn more? Contact the OHV Program for more information by emailing ohveducation@utah.gov.