I live relatively close to Silver Lake dunes so I go there often during the open season. This year I've been there five times so far and each time someone has been seriously injured or died. Last weekend someone crashed into the side of a DNR truck and I heard he died about an hour later. While they were working on the dying guy, in another area there was a guy laying and waiting for help with his busted leg. It is troubling to see all the injuries and I wonder if it is typical of dunes in other parts of the country too- Glamis, Pismo, Oregon etc?

I've had some close calls at Silver Lake myself but nothing that has resulted in injury. I think it is the small but steep jumps that catch people off guard. That and the people going full speed past stopped or slow moving vehicles- they're not expecting anyone to cut in front of them and then wham!!!

Be careful out there.

 

Yeah, I used to go there about every other weekend for a couple seasons, then things changed, people got busy and last year I think we made it up there about a half dozen times or so. This season we were there the first weekend but unfortunantly haven't made it up since. I was thinking about going on the fourth of July but it sounds like things are getting even crazier than they used to be. I think the problem is that people don't watch where their going. At the south end of the directional section (toward the exit) I think there should be a speed limit or something, there's always mixed trafic running wide open in both directions. Another danger spot I think is between the drag strip and directional section. That is another narrow area where you have a lot of two way trafic running wide open and people don't pay attention. The biggest thing I try to do there is watch for the other idiots and not trust anyone. How are the crowds this year? About like last year? I'll probably head up maybe the weekend after the fourth and was just curious how things were going up there this year, sounds like the same ole same ole. How many people have died this year? It's a shame. I also worry because there are a lot of people who would like our riding area shut down and all these death's and injuries only helps their fight. Well keep it safe and have fun.

 

At LS Utah the Life Flight sits at the dunes on Easter, ambulance also. 900 citations were written on Easter for everything from guns to un-registered quads, minors drinking, ect. Life flight was used four times that day. They have a sign at the entrance that says "Days counted until last serious accident" It usually never goes over 14 unless it's in the off peak seasons. Life fight landed at Saint Anthonys, Idaho two weeks ago. A guy broke his back. It's part of riding. Pit racers are the worst!!

 

Hey Zillaman, I think things are busier than last year. One thing that is different this year is where the drag racing goes on. Everyone is drag racing along the beach area because the old drag area is still flooded from the excessive rain fall. Last weekend there must have been over 200 trucks parked on the beach and the parking lot was full too, as always.

I don't know how many people have died total this year, but I can think of two. One nasty accident involved a 400EX landing a huge jump on top of a dune buggy. I saw the aftermath of that one and I was disgusted because it could have been avoided if they had used a spotter.

Sometimes I go there during the week. What a difference! The sand is so much smoother with lower traffic levels.

 

I think the biggest problem is there are so many new riders over the past couple of years, and a lot of them are buying very fast machines for their first ride. Most of the new sport quads are way to much for a beginner. I love to ride at Silver Lake, but its hard to have fun when you can't trust the ability of half of the people out there. I just hope they don't ruin it for all of us.

 

I agree with your entire statement ScramblerX. Remember a few years back when all the quads up there were 250R's Quadracer's or Banshees along with three wheelers. All of the above mentioned are as fast, most likley faster than any new machine, but people were long time owners/riders of these machines. Now with all these new quads, Raptors, DS's you name it, they also have lot's of power and any joe schmoe with $149.00/month can go out and buy one and take it out on the dunes without any clue how to ride it, and more importantly how to ride the dunes. It's dangerous and they make me nervous, that's for sure. I also hope they don't ruin it for everyone.

 

yes the short steep jumps seem to be the worst. all the wrecks i have seen have been because of those, and showing off mixed in. last time i was at little sahara, OK a guy hit a short steep jump in about 4th gear on a raptor, his rear end kicked over and i think it landed on him. i was on the jumped side of the dune and he landed out of view. messed the bike up pretty bad(broke radiator, bent swingarm, all plastics, grab bar and about everything else). i don't think he was hurt to bad though.

 

Unfortunately with me living in WI I can't usually make it to SL more than 2 times a year. I have noticed it especially bad near the drag area though. People just need to be more aware and look out for themselves and others. I find it a great place to ride and even though it's only 500 acrtes big it's great being in the sand. Will be there July 13-15 th with a huge crew and can't wait.

 

At Pismo, on a big weekend, the meat wagon makes a couple trips down the beach to pickup people. I’ve noticed that as a rider’s blood-alcohol level goes up, the fun factor (and entertainment factor) goes up too. Drunks do crazy stuff and can be talked into almost anything. When you get drunk in the dunes, make sure your camera is ready!

http://communities.msn.com/ATV/range...mp;PhotoID=244

http://communities.msn.com/ATV/range...mp;PhotoID=279

Fish

 

Alchohol is not allowed at Silver Lake and they actually enforce that rule. For example every truck that enters the dunes is checked for coolers and if they find a cooler they make sure it doesn't have any alchohol or you don't go in the dunes. I won't say that no one has ever gone into the dunes drunk or snuck in beer, but I don't really think it is a big issue here. Drinking and riding is STUPID! That's how so many snowmobilers get killed here every winter. I think they should throw them all in jail. I don't want them on the trail when I'm there that's for sure. And it's deffinently not funny!