Following my pre-loaded CalTopo map, I turn left onto 200 East heading south. I pass the Enterprise High School, and two blocks later, enter Dixie National Forest. Immediately I find dispersed camping spots among the Juniper trees, which are currently empty, but I assume they will fill up as the temperature rises.

Dixie National Forest has been hard at work installing an ATV trail system in the area named Hardscrabble. I don't know the reason for the name, but I am looking forward to riding some of the trails. I downloaded the GPS track for a circular route from an avid ATV rider on another website. I also have the Dixie National Forest MVUM plan for the area on CalTopo; it's going to be a beautiful day.

ATV 50in Limit trail 30842. Ox Valley Peak center left of picture

I park and unload the quad at a messy campsite at the junction of 30007 Ox Valley and trail 30780 Ox Valley. Dirty because someone has dumped an old refrigerator, and others have felt the need to tear it apart. I'm packed and riding with my list of routes and several mountains to climb if I make it that far. Road 30007 Ox Valley is the main maintained gravel road heading south. The trail follows Spring Creek to the confluence of Spring Creek and Bullrush Creek before following Bullrush Creek to Ox Valley.

The valley is surprisingly large; however, it is privately owned and fenced. The National Park Service has cut a 50-inch limit ATV trail (31041) following the fence line to Ox Valley Peak. I did not intend to hike up Ox Valley Peak today, but I would like to see how close the trail is to the mountain's base. It is near, and better yet, another ATV trail (30841) travels west to a high saddle between the two peaks. I contemplate hiking the peak while I am here, but frankly, it is covered in scrub oak and will be a bushwacking nightmare. I'll climb it someday, but I'm not in the mood for bushwacking today. After reaching a dead-end, I follow the trail back and reconnect with the main road.

I'm getting closer to my listed peaks for today, but this is a long road, and with my detours, it is taking much longer than expected. I crest another ridge and consult my GPS track. The first peak (UNP 6926) is another ridgeline over, so I decide to call it a day. I'll try to approach the peaks from the UT-18 highway side next time I come back to ride the Hardscrabble trails.