(NAPSI)-There’s good news for those who like to hit the road less traveled in their four-wheel-drive vehicle.
An annual program that recognizes the best trails in the U.S. and Canada has just released its selections for 2008.
Launched in 2006, the BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trails Program is dedicated to the responsible use and preservation of off-road trails while providing aid for trail conservation efforts.
From the desert to the mountains and hillsides; from rock, dirt, water and sand, here are the 2008 Outstanding Trails.
The trails were selected by BFGoodrich Tires in conjunction with the United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) and Tread Lightly!.
• Superstition Mountain is located in beautiful Southern California, near San Diego. Superstition Mountain is a 13,000-acre open area that presents an array of challenging off-road riding opportunities from sand dunes to rocks to mud hills. The trail has been classified by many as “demanding” and attracts skilled off-roaders.
• Blacktail/Wild Bill National Recreation Trail is located near the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in northwest Montana and was one of the first OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) areas to be recognized as a National Recreational Trail by the U.S. Forest Service.
Providing 4x4 beginners and experts with several obstacles and spectacular views throughout, the trail also offers opportunities for dirt bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles and mountain bike enthusiasts to enjoy the 13-mile journey through the Flathead National Forest.
• Iron Range is located in Gilbert, Minn., and features a system of 36 trails and 1,200 acres of recreation in a north woods setting with scramble areas, training hills and rock crawls. The Iron Range system provides riding opportunities for many skill levels on varied terrain-rock, dirt, mud and hills.
• Pritchett Canyon Trail is located near the picturesque area of Moab, Utah, and is known as one of the toughest off-road trails because its difficult obstacles have little or no bypasses.
Off-roaders and locals consider Pritchett Canyon a gem due to its views of the steep canyon walls, large side-canyon pour-offs and a pool-speckled creek near the bottom of the canyon. Throughout the journey through the canyon, off-roaders are also treated to spectacular views of rock formations as the trail climbs through the lower part of the canyon and exits via a side canyon over a divide into the Hunter Canyon system.
• Quinn Trail is located near Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. There are two ways to get to the end destination, which is Quinn Lake. Stock rigs will take the “front door,” which consists of dirt, mud, tight turns and some blind elevations. Those looking for a serious challenge will take the “back door” to Quinn Lake. The large rock formations, steep hills and rocky creek beds make for a great challenge.
• Beasley Knob is located just outside of Atlanta, Ga., and has a well-developed system of eight interconnecting trails offering a total of 10.8 miles and a wide variety of riding challenges. The trails are made of steep mountainous terrain and have a difficulty rating of moderate to strenuous making it recommended for expert level riders only.
Both Tread Lightly! and UFWDA are nonprofit organizations dedicated to responsible and ethical outdoor recreation.
During the course of the program, BFGoodrich Tires will host several events at these trails to highlight the individuality of each location as well as educate off-road enthusiasts on the responsible use of each trail.
To help aid with costs associated with the trail’s conservation efforts, BFGoodrich Tires will also present a grant to a selected off-road club at each trail event.
To learn more, visit www.bfgoodrichtires.com.
