Most of these communities allow riding on the streets; the State of Utah now allows street-legal vehicles to run on the highway.
Riders may see mule deer, elk, bear, mountain goats, cougars, coyotes, sage grouse, pine hen, pheasants, rabbits, rattlesnakes, wild turkeys, badgers, beavers, hawks, eagles, owls, porcupines, and bobcats.
At this time of year the days are brisk, the nights cool, the trees colorful, and the chance of precipitation is low.
August is also a good time for the high country, although the lower portions of the trail can be hot.
Because of the size of the trail system and the varied geography and altitude, weather can be very extreme, and fluctuate greatly even over the course of hours.
Temperatures in excess of 100F in the valley floors can be encountered, while snow covers the trails at higher elevations.
As many portions of the trail climbing out of valley floors rapidly gain 6,000 feet or more of elevation, fuel consumption can be higher than expected.