Story by Jon Rall
What began as a long-distance Arizona desert ride became a true winter adventure when four Kawasaki Teryx UTVs encountered rain, hail and deep snow in the Hualapai Mountains. By the time the group returned to Lake Havasu, the machines had covered more than 200 miles through dramatically changing terrain and weather.
Leaving Lake Havasu
Rain had fallen the night before our departure, leaving the desert floor damp and virtually dust-free as we headed away from Lake Havasu. The group consisted of three Kawasaki Teryx4 four-seat UTVs and one original Kawasaki Teryx.
The opening miles took us across rolling desert trails that climbed to scenic overlooks before dropping into gullies and washes. We stopped about 10 miles into the ride and looked back toward Lake Havasu in the distance. From there, our route continued away from the lake and toward the mountains.
The terrain constantly changed. We crossed rocky sections, tackled steep climbs and descents, wound through sandy washes and passed between tall rock walls. Arizona cactus covered the surrounding hillsides, providing a classic Sonoran Desert backdrop.
The Teryx machines handled the variety of terrain well. Their predictable power delivery and four-wheel-drive capability were especially valuable as the trail became rougher and the weather began to deteriorate.
Rain, Hail and Snow in the Hualapai Mountains
During several stops, we admired the desert scenery and the mountain range rising ahead of us. We could also see that the weather over the higher elevations was changing quickly.
Rain began falling shortly after we started climbing. It soon changed to hail and then heavy snow. The higher we traveled, the more difficult it became to distinguish the trail beneath the accumulating snow.
Our pleasant desert outing was rapidly turning into a serious Kawasaki Teryx adventure ride. The trails became narrow and slippery, but the Teryx and Teryx4 models continued pushing forward. Their comfortable cabins, manageable power and sure-footed handling gave us confidence in the increasingly difficult conditions.
Navigation became one of our biggest challenges. Snow obscured the trail, so we relied heavily on GPS guidance to remain on the planned route.
Reaching the Hualapai Mountain Resort
We reached the Hualapai Mountain Resort at approximately 3 p.m. Everyone was cold and wet, but we were also smiling after completing the roughly 110-mile ride from Lake Havasu through an extraordinary mixture of terrain and weather.
The people at the resort were surprised to see us. Given the storm, they had not expected the group to make it through the mountains. We arrived in time to order warm food before the restaurant closed and watched through the windows as snow continued to fall.
The forecast called for another one to two feet of snow overnight. By morning, approximately two feet of fresh powder covered the ground and our Kawasaki Teryx UTVs.
Starting the 110-Mile Return Ride
The restaurant was closed because of the weather, so we ate snacks from our supplies and prepared for the long return to Lake Havasu. We brushed the accumulated snow from the machines, added extra clothing layers and started early.
The Teryx models pushed through deep snow while climbing and descending the mountain trails. Deer occasionally ran alongside us, and snow-covered cactus created an unusual contrast between the Arizona desert and the winter storm.
We followed a different route on the return trip, giving us an entirely new collection of scenery and terrain. That also meant continuing to depend on our guides and GPS equipment rather than simply retracing the previous day’s tracks.
An Unexpected Trail Obstacle
As we descended toward the desert floor and began leaving the deepest snow behind, we spotted something standing in the middle of the trail. As we approached, it became clear that a large cow was blocking our route.
The cow was accompanied by a small herd that included several animals with substantial horns. We had no interest in testing those horns against the doors of a Teryx, so we stopped and waited. After a lengthy stare-down, the cow finally moved aside and allowed us to continue.
Fuel and Lunch in Wikieup
We eventually reached Wikieup, Arizona, where we stopped for fuel and a warm lunch. The break gave everyone an opportunity to warm up before beginning the next approximately 50-mile section toward Lake Havasu.
The fuel range of the Teryx machines proved valuable during the trip. The original Teryx and 2012 Teryx4 both carried more than seven gallons of fuel, making this kind of long-distance backcountry ride possible with careful planning.
After lunch, we climbed one final mountain range and briefly returned to the snow. The trail then dropped back toward the warmer desert floor.
Returning to Lake Havasu
Conditions changed dramatically as we descended. Only hours after driving through two feet of snow, we were once again traveling across dusty, rocky trails under warmer desert conditions. Lake Havasu eventually appeared in the distance as we completed the final miles.
We arrived back at Lake Havasu at approximately 3:30 p.m. After climbing out of the UTVs, we sat on the trailer for a few minutes and talked about everything we had experienced during the previous two days.
The four Kawasaki Teryx machines had covered roughly 220 miles through desert washes, rocky climbs, narrow mountain trails, rain, hail and deep snow. It was considerably more adventurous than the ride we had anticipated when we left Lake Havasu.
Special thanks go to our guides, Richie Hudson and Rick “Wally” Wallace of Side X Side Outfitterz, for navigating the group through the snow and changing conditions.
Planning a Similar Arizona UTV Adventure
This story documents a ride completed in 2012 and is not intended to serve as a current turn-by-turn route guide. Land access, designated routes, fuel availability and regulations can change. Riders considering a similar trip should obtain current maps, confirm legal trail access and check weather conditions before departing.
Mountain weather can differ significantly from conditions in Lake Havasu. Carry GPS navigation with offline maps, cold-weather clothing, food, water, recovery equipment, emergency communication, tools and enough fuel for unexpected detours.
For another extended UTV route beginning in Lake Havasu, see our 710-mile Arizona Peace Trail adventure. You can also explore additional destinations and multi-day trips in the UTV Adventure Ride archive.
