Photo supplied, Dana Erickson

The Halloween Howl is a part of the Paiute Trail Jamboree Adventure Series. It begins in May with the Papa Bear Run and the Mama Bear Run in June. These two lead up to the big event in August known as the Paiute Trail Jamboree. The Halloween Howl closes out the series and is scheduled for Oct. 26.

The success of this event depends on a correct understanding of the current trail conditions after the Silver King Fire closed a few miles of trail on the west side of Marysvale. The fire had little effect on the trails available to ride.

Marysvale is a small town of a little over 400 people, but seven establishments offer a variety of lodging to those who ride the Paiute Trails. Without these accommodations, I might have to rough it — camping, cooking my food, sleeping on the ground and bathing in a cold creek, with wild animals. I know, it isn’t a pretty picture. These amenities need to stay open to enhance the riding conditions of this great trail system.

Plans for the Halloween Howl have been changed to adjust to the conditions caused by the fire. There are no fees to register, but registration is required and there is no cap on the number of riders. Register at https://paiutejam.com. 

Grey Halloween Howl T-shirts or the warmer Halloween Howl hoodies are available to purchase in children to adult sizes when you register. Meals are also purchased at that time. One breakfast option is available, along with four dinner options listed on the registration page.

Photo supplied, Dana Erickson

The event will start at Hoovers River Resort (3718 Highway 89) where check-in is at 9 a.m. Breakfast will be served from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Hoover’s Grille. 

The Howl is held during the daytime because riding in the deep, dark woods is scary enough without adding spooks and things that go bump in the night. It is also for the safety of the spooks. A ride through woods that are not haunted is frightening enough.

Riders will leave Hoovers and head northeast to Monroe Mountain. The trails through the woods on Monroe Mountain are a real drawing card.

The route for the ride will depend on the weather. Dana Erikson is the Piute County outreach coordinator. She said, “We have never had bad weather for the Halloween Howl.” The ride for the Howl will be about 65 miles long on smooth beginner trails.

The ride is also a poker run. Stops along the trail will be made to draw cards to fill out a poker hand. The high and low hands will win prizes. Participation is optional, but who doesn’t like a good poker run? Poker hands can be purchased for $5 each, or you can increase your chances by buying five hands for $20.

Photo supplied, Dana Erickson

The Haunted Woods Poker Run Ride will be self-guided and is well marked – maps are provided. This is also a costume party event. Riders are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes and to decorate their machines. Costumes and decorated machines will be judged after dinner at Hoover’s. This is a ride by spooks for spooks.

The ride will end at Hoovers River Resort in time for festivities beginning at 3 p.m. Riders are asked to bring candy for a Trunk or Treat. The candy will be given out in the parking lot at the resort. The people of Marysvale look forward to this event and always support this great Halloween tradition.

Dinner is at 4 p.m. and prizes for the best-decorated machines and costumes will be awarded at 5 p.m. The prizes for the high and low poker hands will also be awarded. There will also be a 50/50 drawing. Raffle tickets purchased for $1 each will be put into a pot. Half the money will go to the winner while the other half will go to improve the Paiute Trails Jamboree.

There is another drawing to win a 2021 Polaris XP 4 1000 Premium. This model features Ride Command. Tickets are $100 each and there are only 300 available. Proceeds will go to help Heather Martinez and her two children who lost their husband and father, Michael, in an accident last June.

Make plans to be part of the fun at the 2024 Halloween Howl. Kids and grandkids will want to include this event in their Halloween traditions. When you go, take plenty of water and keep the rubber side down.

Photo supplied

Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.