3D Hill Project Easter Jeep Safari: Tread Lightly!

Tread Lightly! based in North Salt Lake, Utah, was initially launched by the United States Forest Service in 1985 as a campaign to mitigate the impacts of off-road vehicles. By 1990, it had evolved into a non-profit entity supported by members and industry partners like RealTruck. 

Today, this incredible non-profit is responsible for spearheading a nationwide campaign to advocate for the responsible use of motorized vehicles in outdoor recreational activities. They strive to balance the thrill-seeking desires of off-road and off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts and the conservation of the natural spaces they enjoy.

To fulfill its mission, Tread Lightly! offers a comprehensive suite of initiatives, training programs, and educational resources to promote a mindful outdoor recreation culture. Its activities center around educating off-road and OHV enthusiasts on practices that mitigate environmental impact and protect natural and cultural heritage.

As an organization supported by its members, they depend on the backing of our community and industry allies to execute programs and carry out trail upkeep and restoration efforts that significantly impact the environment, the off-road community, and the local communities surrounding these recreational areas. 

The organization's core principles are known as the T.R.E.A.D. principles and encapsulate its ethos perfectly: 

• Travel Responsibly

• Respect the Rights of Others

• Educate Yourself

• Avoid Sensitive Areas

• Do Your Part

These principles guide the organization's efforts to ensure that outdoor activities are conducted in a manner that is respectful to the environment and other users.

Protecting The Beauty of Moab 

Moab is renowned for its stunning landscapes, attracting thousands of enthusiasts each year who explore its trails by biking, hiking, and four-wheeling. Thanks to the region's unique and delicate landscape, maintaining off-road recreation areas and providing valuable information for those heading into the backcountry is especially important. 

Here are several reasons why upkeep and stewardship of the land contribute to conserving the natural beauty, ecological balance, and accessibility of this unique outdoor recreation area:

Environmental Protection

Moab's delicate desert ecosystem is home to various plant and animal species that human activity can easily disrupt. Regular maintenance helps minimize the environmental impact of off-road vehicles and foot traffic, ensuring that habitats remain intact and biodiversity is conserved. This includes controlling erosion, which can be exacerbated by heavy use and lead to habitat destruction and altered water flow.

Sustainability of Recreation

Proper maintenance ensures that trails remain safe and enjoyable for all users. By keeping the trails in good condition, we prevent the creation of unauthorized paths that can fragment habitats and lead to further environmental damage. This sustainability approach ensures that outdoor activities can continue for future generations.

Safety

Regularly cleaned and maintained trails are safer for users, reducing the risk of accidents caused by hazardous conditions such as loose rocks, deep ruts, or unexpected obstacles. Safety measures include clear signage, well-defined trail boundaries, and the removal of potentially dangerous debris.

Community and Economic Benefits

Moab's economy is significantly supported by tourism, much of which is drawn by its outdoor recreational opportunities. Keeping the trails in prime condition enhances the visitor experience, encouraging repeat visits and fostering a positive reputation for Moab as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. This, in turn, supports local businesses and contributes to the community's economic well-being.

Cultural and Historical Conservation

Many areas around Moab contain culturally and historically significant sites, including ancient rock art and archaeological remains. Protecting these sites from vandalism and the impacts of erosion or other trail damage is crucial for conserving these irreplaceable links to the past.

Education and Awareness

Maintaining trails also provides an opportunity for education and awareness about the natural environment, conservation efforts, and respectful outdoor behavior. Informational signage and guided tours can help visitors understand the importance of minimal-impact practices and their role in conserving these natural resources.

Protecting and Cleaning Up 3D-Hill 

3-D Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Moab area for good reason. 

Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes northwest of Moab, the 3-D Trail offers an unparalleled outdoor adventure for wheelers of all skill levels. What makes this trail truly special is its journey through the picturesque Hidden Canyon and Brink Spring, weaving through the canyon's depths along its majestic rim, culminating in an awe-inspiring overlook that gives this adventure its vivid name, 3-D. While adventurers may find a few hills challenging, the trail's 59 miles promise a smooth and scenic ride perfect for a memorable outing, even in a stock four-wheeler like a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. 

Work started quickly, with dozens of volunteers showing up to begin the arduous process of creating and/or rebuilding fencing to protect the delicate natural areas surrounding the 3-D Hill and trail. From digging support posts to lashing fencing with lags and impact drivers, a flurry of activity and sound filled the surrounding areas as everyone pitched in to help get the job done. 

In addition to building fencing that helps keep vehicles on the trail, the Tread Lightly! team also installed plenty of signage to help keep adventurers informed. This included new signs showing off-roaders an overview map of the trail ahead and information such as length, elevation changes, and rules for trail access. Along with informational signage, warning signs instructing wheelers to stay on designated trails were also posted. 

Trail clean-up is also an essential part of the day, as volunteers fanned out to clean up everything from trash to broken-off pieces of rigs, nails, and anything else left behind by enthusiasts.

Protecting Natural Lands Together

As a recent Trail Access Program grantee, RealTruck is proud to sponsor unique organizations such as Tread Lightly! because they strive to create a world where off-road enthusiasts and Mother Nature can co-exist. 

This opportunity to sponsor and participate in the maintenance project at 3-D Hill was a testament to the good work done by those who genuinely want to conserve access to natural lands for generations. 

We all love being out in the backcountry, and if we want to keep enjoying locations like Moab, every one of us needs to do our part.

Video: 3D Hill Project Easter Jeep Safari: Tread Lightly!