SXS ADVENTURE: RALLY ON THE ROCKS

On Sep 27, 2023

Like a national park thrill ride By the staff of Dirt Wheels

For the second year, Utah’s Sand Hollow State Park has been the site of the SxS Adventure Rally on the Rocks (ROTR). Formerly held for 10 years at Moab as the Rally on the Rocks, the SxS Adventure ROTR relocated to the Hurricane area because it is a lot more SxS-friendly. Like Moab, Hurricane has two national parks nearby—Zion and Capital Reef—plus the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. So, the SxS Adventure Rally is like a national park thrill ride with UTVs.

**While the rally is going on, locals are scouting out new lines and making new trails, which will eventually make it onto future rally guided rides. Sand Hollow State Park is a 4×4 Mecca.**

AMERICA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL SXS JAMBOREE

At the SxS Adventure Rally on the Rocks, there were 12 daily guided rides with two easy loops (Top of the World and Dino Tracks), four moderate rides rated 4–6 (West Rim, Milts Mile, West Rim Lite and Razzle Dazzle) and six challenging red-rock rides (Double Sammy, Sliprock/John’s Trail, Plan B, the Ledges, Triple 7 and the Maze, all rated 7 or 8). All have spectacular red-rock formations, and the Maze and Plan B snake along the top of a beautiful escarpment with awesome views of the valley below. There are also open desert, dunes and sand-wash sections, which have been used in past WORCS courses. Also, there are plenty of obstacles not on the guided rides, like the Chute at the end of Double Sammy and the Toilet Bowl by Plan B, and local crawlers are making new rock trails or lines every week.

**Most of the gnarlier trail obstacles have alternate lines, but the adventure is about testing your skills and machine.**

Rides took off from the rally headquarters at 10:30 with lunch on the trails, and they return around 2:30–3 p.m. to give rally-goers time to sign up for Polaris and Yamaha demo rides. New for 2023, Utah required all non-resident OHVers to complete a free safety course; go to www.sxsadventurerally.com for the link.

**While sandstone formations generally have good traction, blowing sand slickens some obstacles. Having good guides and spotters makes the SxS Adventure Rally participants better drivers.**

Each of three ride days began with a Camp Chef breakfast starting at 9 a.m., then the guided rides took off at 10:30 a.m. Since each ride goes through a tunnel under a road, ride departures are orderly and efficient. Friday also had food trucks for dinner at 5 p.m. followed by a grand raffle at 6:30 p.m. and HCR Presents Runaway Fire in concert afterwards. The rally costs $45 per person per day or $145 on-site for three days of guided rides, insurance, BLM/state fees, three breakfasts and a T-shirt if you pre-registered online. Primitive camping was $25–$35 per night, and hookups were $50 per night. There was also a $20 park entrance fee, but it was $10 for those registering online.

Polaris and Yamaha held demo rides throughout the rally, and guided rides ended in early afternoon so rally-goers could check out new machines and take advantage of the many rally specials on vendor row.

**Most rally-goers signed up online and then picked up their rally packets the day before or first morning of the adventure. Most also bought raffle tickets throughout the event.**

Also, the May dates let rally attendees cool off in the reservoir or cruise personal watercraft, as the former Adventure Rally November dates were wetsuit only with cold winds and temperatures. There is even a UTV, ATV and PWC rental company on-site, so those interested in getting into the sport can rent rides for 2024! The 2024 SxS Adventure ROTR will be held on May 16–18, and we’ll see you there!

**Every morning, rally attendees were treated to a breakfast by Camp Chef before saddling up and heading out to their respective daily guided rides.**

CONTACT:

SxS Adventure Rally

Sand Hollow State Park

Hurricane, UT 84737

(435) 703-4444

[email protected]

Utah