Elko Daily Free Press 6-23-10

Jamboree of a different sort in town: ATV riders explore trails

ELKO - About 45 riders have signed up so far for the sixth Elko ATV Jamboree, with more anticipated toward the end of the week, according to event Secretary Dalana Hornback.

On Monday, Hornback led a group of 16 people to Merritt Mountain near Wildhorse Reservoir, and other rides took place around the county, including one to Green Mountain near Jiggs.

The jamboree, which is in its sixth year, continues through this week with rides each day, ending with an ATV rodeo on Saturday at the Elko Convention Center.

Hornback said of the 45 people riding so far, many are returning participants. They include residents of California, Oregon and the eastern part of the country.

"It should pick up toward the end of the week. There are a lot of people who work four-tens," she said, referring to four 10-hour work shifts.

Bill Imboden, who was at the jamboree for the first time, said he took the Green Mountain ride Monday. He drove nine hours to Elko with his father and father-in-law from the Vallejo, Calif., area.

Imboden said he wanted to come last year, but it was too late for him to make arrangements. He read about the event in a magazine.

Imboden said he liked the trail ride because it "wasn't physically demanding," and ride leader Rich Sandoz informed riders of the area's history, geography and native flora and fauna.

Imboden said he and his party were thinking about doing the Jarbidge ride, but weren't sure. The ride has been extended from 100 miles to 162 miles because, according to Hornback, the county hasn't cleared the snow from part of the original route.

"We're not sure we want to go 40 mph on gravel on an ATV," Imboden said.

So, the three men planned to do the North Country ride instead. According to www.elkoatvjamboree.com, that ride is about 80 miles, and stages from the Gold Creek Road turn-off at Wildhorse Reservoir. The route goes through Poorman Creek to Sunflower Reservoir, and eventually down to the Bruneau River. Riders will have the opportunity to see the old Rowland townsite.

Descriptions of other trail rides can be found on the website.