Loadout · mountains
High-alpine loadout
For Utah mountain trails near 8,000 to 11,000 ft: cold-weather layers, heated grips, storm gear, altitude cautions and early snow.
Quick answer
High-alpine rides need cold-weather insurance: warm and waterproof layers, a bag rated below the forecast low, headlamps and a plan to turn around when storms build. Many high routes open late (the Arapeen's upper trails typically clear by about July 1) and the Paiute's highest sections can stay closed into July.
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Weight and rack limits
Goal: bulky insulation is light but takes volume; use compression dry bags and keep the heavy items low.
Rack ratings are per rack and are a limit for the rack, not a target. Add up everything on each rack, including the box or bag itself, and keep it well under the rating; weigh your loaded kit with a bathroom scale and use the running total on the printable checklists.
| Class in our database | Models | Front rack rating (lb) | Rear rack rating (lb) | Towing rating (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (<500cc) | 9 | 66-90 lb | 133-180 lb | 802-1350 lb |
| Mid (500-649cc) | 15 | 75-121 lb | 100-242 lb | 661-1830 lb |
| Mid-large (650-899cc) | 14 | 88-120 lb | 176-240 lb | 848-1830 lb |
| Big bore (900cc+) | 10 | 120-200 lb | 240-300 lb | 1500-1830 lb |
| 2-up touring | 23 | 44-121 lb | 77-242 lb | 772-1830 lb |
Ranges across the models in our database for each class; blank cells in a source are skipped, and some front ratings are not published. Your own machine's rating is on its model page and in the owner's manual and is the number that counts.
Every loadout starts here
- Helmet and eye protection (a helmet is mandatory under 18 in Utah, and wear one regardless): Bell MX-9 MIPS helmet, Oakley Airbrake MX goggles
- Gloves: Mechanix Wear M-Pact leather work gloves
- Satellite messenger or beacon for anywhere with no cell service: Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator, ZOLEO satellite communicator, ACR ResQLink 400 personal locator beacon
- First-aid kit: Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker first aid kit
- Tire repair and air: Slime 20503 tire plug kit (40 piece) plus a 12 V compressor such as VIAIR 88P portable air compressor or Kensun 12V compressor for ATV tires, and a low-pressure gauge such as JACO Elite 0-15 psi tire gauge
- Multi-tool and a small socket/wrench set: Leatherman Wave+ multi-tool, TEKTON 45-piece socket set (SKT95301)
- Water, food, headlamp, paper map or offline map, tell someone your route and return time.
Warmth
- Insulated jacket and rain shell, spare gloves, warm hat; heated grips (Moose Utility Division heated grips, Kolpin heated grip kit (96155) or Tusk lock-on heated grips); handguards (Tusk D-Flex handguards).
- Sleep: Kelty Cosmic 20 sleeping bag or Big Agnes Bolten SL 20 sleeping bag rated below the forecast low; pad Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite sleeping pad.
Storm and light
- Headlamps Petzl ACTIK CORE headlamp / Black Diamond Spot 400 headlamp; lantern Black Diamond Apollo lantern; extra fuel for the stove.
Altitude and weather
- Altitude symptoms (headache, dizziness, shortness of breath) can appear above 10,000 ft per one trail guide; descend if they build. Check the forecast and fire restrictions; carry a messenger because cell service is spotty.
- Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator or ZOLEO satellite communicator.
Recovery
- Snow and mud: tree saver, soft shackles, damper, shovel; recovery boards (MAXTRAX MKII recovery boards) help in mud.
Printable checklists and roundups
- ATV camping checklist
- Recovery checklist
- Safety & first-aid checklist
- ATV camp setup: tent, sleep system, stove & water gear
- Best satellite messengers, GPS & radios for ATV trips
Guides
- First aid & emergency planning
- Comms, GPS & navigation
- Trailside recovery and repairs for ATVs in Utah
Trails this suits
- Ashley NF: Outlaw & Yellowstone ATV trails
- Arapeen OHV Trail System
- Paiute ATV Trail
- Cedar Mountain / Markagunt OHV System
Sources
- Arapeen UTV Trail (utahatvtrails.org; Sanpete-area trail/tourism site, secondary)
- Dairyland Insurance: Paiute ATV Trail Guide, Dec 9, 2025 (insurer; secondary source)
- Manti-La Sal National Forest: About the area
Product links are affiliate links; we have not tested these products and show no prices. Rules and closures change; confirm with the land manager. Researched Oct 27, 2026.