Lava is bad at St.A. Just a few other thoughts.

* Power turns, you float a lot more so getting on the throttle helps with the turn

* Water, even in the spring the sand is hot, hence the lack of vegetation, take water!!!

* You have no brakes in the sand, especiall going down hill, so be sure that you know where you want to go cuz you won't be stopping!!

* last, if you have the month, consider running down here to Jericho and running the mtn!!!!!!!

 

When I am climbing a dune that I cannot see over I will climb and then turn one way or the other just below the top you can then take a lookmover the top and either keep turing and go back down or turn up and cross over, lots of razor backs at St A's but it's a blast to ride vids, pics, directions and gps cords at Dune Review be sure you have water and watch your gas, you can cover a lot of ground out there fast. For sure ride with somebody experienced first few times out and always ride with somebody else, might be able to find somebody at the Dune Review forums

 

The common misconception is that sand is soft so when you dump your rig, you just get a little sandy. Folks go out there for their first time thinking "oh... this is soft sand, how can I possibly get hurt <peewee herman laugh here>" and they ride off w/ no helmet (where allowed) and don't think twice about safety. Ride smart, straight and wear a helmet and you'll be fine.

I always assume that someone is about to crest the opposite side of any dune I'm cresting and I do my best to be prepared for it.

 

Man that lava rock thing seems scary! I've never been to Utah but maybe this year. The witches eyes on the costal dunes are very unpredictable (I know from experience!) the wind switches direction overnight and the dunes can have some really weird shapes. they can be "razorbacked" on both sides and things like that. Be careful never crest a dune straight over until you know what's on the other side. Stay slow until you have scouted an area out and always have a spotter (one that's paying attention) at the top of a dune before you do any jumping. You would hate to meet a buggy head on.

 

ive been looking at pics in peoples gallerys the dunes look so fun.. i wanna go there someday, maybe over the summer. how does 4x4s do in the sand?? (350 fourtrax 4x4) and (400 rancher at 4x4/2x4)

 

The main tip I have is to ride slow in congested areas. One of the biggest spots for accidents is on trails that everyone knows. Since folks know them they haulass down the trail right through trail crossings. Don't race up or jump hills until you know what's on the other side even if you see others allready doing it. There could be a whiches eye 10 foot to the either side they know about and you don't. And have loads of fun that's what your there for.

 

Your 4x4s will do ok, from what I have seen if you don't have paddles for the back then the turf type tires do the best. Big mud tires kinda suck in the sand. Sand will make a powerful quad feel weak, it really sucks the power out of smaller bikes, 4x4 is even going to be worse.

 

You should be fine with the correct protective wear and all. All you have to watch out for the most are the Razorbacks. Dont go Haulin **** up a dune cause it can become quite scary when you see the other side is a Razor and your falling down to the end. Just be careful and always look where your going, casue the dunes are very tricky.

 

My 4X4 does great in the sand, even at 600 pounds[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I would add to be careful around midday.
When the sun is directly overhead and the shadows go away you loose much of the ability to judge the smaller dropoffs.