Kawasaki's easy-to-use diff-lock...
Kawasaki's easy-to-use diff-lock system made conquering M&M's gnarly rock sections a cinch.
As badly as I wanted to just remain and explore the mines, it was exhilarating to break out of the darkness and into the bright light and fresh air outside. Yes, the rain had subsided, for a little while anyway. We hit up gnarly rock-filled trails where four-wheel-drive and even the occasional pull on the diff-lock lever were required to conquer them. We bogged in fairly deep creeks and even experienced several full-throttle sections down fast jeep roads littered with tons of insane hillclimbs. I'd say about the only type of riding that Mines & Meadows lacked in was an MX track and a sandy dune section, but that's not what this place is about. All day long, my Brute Force 650i kept me comfortable and possessed the ability and power to conquer all of the challenges set forth with a great deal of ease.
As the day wore down, I spoke with Tim for a few minutes about the future of the Mines & Meadows resort. They have lots of plans including adding RV hookups as well as the ability to rent existing RVs from them for weekend getaways or even long vacations. You may also see a pro shop and an expanded list of trails down the road. When asked about his dream for Mines & Meadows, Tim had this to say, "I have a great love for the sport and its great camaraderie, and an intense desire to pass along some of the joy I've found to others who might not otherwise have the opportunity. My goal is ultimately to provide ATV riders with the 'country club' atmosphere they deserve." Although the resort is fairly primitive at this time, I think Tim has an excellent platform to build on. For me, this is an experience that I'll never forget, and I really hope I get the opportunity to visit again sometime. I really am thankful for both Kawasaki and Mines & Meadows ATV/RV Resort for putting together such a great ride so that we could share it with our readers.
We even found some great spots...
We even found some great spots outside of the mine to sink our tires deep.
Amenities:
* RV and tent camping: Primitive camping for both tents and RVs is available. Reservations are required.
* ATV rentals: Full-day, half-day and two-hour ATV rentals and guided tours are available through Valley ATV Rentals. Reservations are required.
* Great food: If your club, organization or business is planning on holding a special event at Mines & Meadows, they can supply everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to a catered gourmet luncheon.
* ATV and bike wash: Stop by the quad wash and, for $5, you can leave all that mud behind and have your machine glimmering for the trip home.
* Quad storage: Mines & Meadows also offers storage for as little as $20 per month. For those seeking the ultimate in privacy and security, they also offer individual storage compartments. And talk about convenience, they can even handle all your ATV repair and maintenance needs!
This is what we came to see!...
This is what we came to see! Doesn't it have a creepy old look to it?
"As badly as I wanted to just...
"As badly as I wanted to just remain and explore the mines, it was exhilarating to break out of the darkness and into the bright light..."
Mud bogging in an underground...
Mud bogging in an underground mine was a first for me and a total blast.