Welcome to Trail Talk, Trails Utah's newsletter featuring updates on our trails and advocacy work, information from our partners, events, trail jobs and more.
Trails Utah is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to trails planning, funding, sustainable design and construction, and advocacy in needed areas throughout Utah. Well-designed and constructed trails, and the open spaces they connect us to, are important for promoting our overall well-being and creating a sense of community, as well as protecting our natural resources.
We hope you find Trail Talk educational and even entertaining!
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BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
We need your help to make trails happen!
Give a little or a lot and we will put your dollars to work building state-of-the-art trails in your community and around Utah. And you'll get some free swag, too!
New member perks for 2022 !
 Brand new t-shirt celebrating one of our trails
 Newly designed Trails Utah stickers (in 3 colors!)
 Discount on the onX Backcountry mapping app
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Trail Updates
What's new with our trails, and with Trails Utah?
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Spring Hollow Trail System - Pine Valley Ranger District
After years of planning, permitting and designing, construction is underway on this extensive new trail system on the southern end of the Pine Valley Mountains!
This trail system is a partnership between Trails Utah, the Trail Alliance of Southern Utah, and Pine Valley Ranger District. Phase I is focusing on the first 15 miles of trail, located at between 5000-5800ft of elevation. Design work was done by Trails Utah board member and Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU) President, Kevin Christopherson. NEPA studies have been conducted at the EA level and all approvals for construction have been made.
This new trail system will have adaptive accessibility incorporated into the building process. Surface Trails is doing a great job building about a mile a week. The trail is not open and will likely not be completed and open until Fall or early winter. We ask that you please not go to the site until the trail is open.
Update: Trails Utah has been awarded $500,000 in matching funds from Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation for Phase II of this project, which will add another 30 miles of trail to the system - thanks so much, UOOR! We need to match those funds in order to receive them, so find out more and donate here.
Nung 'wu Poa Trail - Phase II
Trails Utah is raising funds for a new multi-use trail to be built in partnership with Town of Springdale, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah and Trail Alliance of Southern Utah.
Town of Springdale continues to work with the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah on final alignment, interpretive signs, signage, etc. The project has been bumped up on Town of Springdale's priority list and they are now looking to get started on it in the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
This is a team effort and we are thrilled to be a part of this exciting trail project!
Update: Trails Utah has been awarded a $75,000 matching grant for this project - THANK YOU! Please help us meet our matching grant requirements by becoming a member or making a donation today. Find out more.
Grandeur Peak Section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST)
After over two decades of planning,Trails Utah is going to complete this Bonneville Shoreline Trail section from Parleys to Millcreek Canyon.
In May, we were awarded a Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation matching grant of $50,000 that will cover almost half of the anticipated project cost. We are working with our Federal, County and City partners to finalize the many permitting and approval requirements that are needed for legal construction of a sustainable recreational trail. These include not only the Federal NEPA environmental review but also local requirements such as the grading permit and Foothills and Canyons Overlay zone permit.
We are now reaching out to our community partners and supporters like you to raise the matching funds needed to pay for construction, which will begin in August. If trails are important to you, please be part of this great project by becoming a member or making a donation to Trails Utah right now. Thank you!
And thanks to our partners at the US Forest Service, Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, Salt Lake County Open Space, Utah Open Lands, and City of Millcreek! See a map and more info.
TU Trails AxS (Access) Project: Millcreek Canyon
Trails Utah is working with Wasatch Adaptive Sports, National Ability Center, board member Wally Lee, and the US Forest Service on a project modifying existing trails to increase accessibility for hand-cyclists and adaptive runners.
As a team, we have established a priority 2022 wish list of trails needing such work and are currently seeking financial support to carry them out. New trail-building methods often make trails wide enough for hand-cycles; however, the vast majority of trails in the Wasatch were built before these new methods were instituted. These are the trails we are focused on.
We are truly excited about this collaboration and look forward to making our trails available to a wider segment of the community. We're getting started in Millcreek Canyon in early 2023.
Update: Trails Utah has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Sorenson Legacy Foundation towards this project. Help us raise additional funds for this project by giving today. Thank you!
Herriman Hills Trail System
In 2020 / 21, Trails Utah, Herriman City and Herriman Hills Trails Alliance completed several trails in the Herriman Hills, including the Hardlick Downhill Trail, the Rawhide Trail and the MoJo Trail (formerly the Stampede Trail), consisting of approximately 3.5 total trail miles.
In 2022 we are planning to expand upon this system and build two new trail sections - a new 1-mile section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and a new 1-mile hiking-only loop. Trails Utah is currently in the fundraising stage. Find out more and make a donation to support this project!
Foothills Trail System
All trail construction for this project has been delayed until 2023. Salt Lake City is undertaking an environmental evaluation (cultural, land, plant and wildlife, scenic impacts) led by a local firm, SWCA. They are also looking to hire a Trail Design specialist (see JOBS section) to do a deeper evaluation of existing trails, recently constructed trails, and the trails plan itself. They will also add an addendum to the trails plan to include a trail maintenance plan and alignment and timing recommendations. Job posting will go up in April and they anticipate this work to be completed in the spring of 2023.
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We would love to hear what trails YOU would like to see in Utah. Please send your ideas and/or any feedback to info@trailsutah.org.
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Policy, Advocacy, Stewardship & Sustainability
Trails provide us with many benefits - health, community, connection with the natural world, economic support, and so much more. A lot goes into the realization, maintenance and advocacy of trails: policies and planning; stakeholder buy-in, awareness and education, and stewardship of trails. Trails Utah is dedicated not only to creating and maintaining sustainable trails, but also to affecting policy, creating awareness, educating trail users, and helping support trail etiquette practices. A team effort is ever more necessary as populations grow and trail use increases. We hope you will support Trails Utah in these efforts!
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ADVOCACY
Trails Rx: Just What the Doctor Ordered!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity is one of the best things we can do for our health. Check out this innovative strategy—trail prescriptions by health professionals—being utilized in Missoula, Montana, to get more people out on trails to meet their physical activity goals. Find more ways to inspire outdoor exercise in your community with the shareable content provided on Rails-to-Trails' Trail Resources page, including articles available in Spanish.
STEWARDSHIP
Community Volunteer Night - Trails Foundation of Northern Utah
Tuesday, June 14
5:30-7:30pm
298 24th Street Suite 325 Ogden, UT, 84401
Would you like to make a difference on the trails that you love and use? Grab your work gloves and join in! They will be meeting at the yurt in the South Gate Parking lot of North Fork Park and will be performing some general trail upkeep and maintenance inside North Fork Park. To register, you must sign up through our GivePulse volunteer platform. Once you create a profile, you can easily sign up for opportunities all year long. You must be registered to participate. Sign up today!
SUSTAINABILITY
10 Ways to Leave No Trace
It’s clear that crowds are threatening some of our most precious outdoor areas. Learn how to be a steward who is kind in nature and protects the great outdoors. Learn the ways!
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 American Hiking Society's
National Trails Day
Saturday, June 4
Various locations
Taking place on the first Saturday in June, National Trails Day® is a day of public events aimed at advocacy and trail service. Thousands of hikers, bikers, runners, horseback riders, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, land trusts, and businesses come together in partnership to advocate for, maintain, and clean up public lands and trails. Here are just a fews happenings throughout the state:
 First Annual Northern Utah Trailfest
October 7-9, 2022 - Registration opens June 7!
North Fork Park, Liberty
The ‘NUT’ is a fall celebration for all trail users! It’s a festival for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys adventure and recreation. Runners, hikers, and mountain bikers—amateurs and pros alike—will enjoy the challenge of the NUT Trail Run and Mountain Bike Race on Saturday, October 8th as they compete to complete the most course laps in 3, 6 or 9* hours. Stay in the loop!
 Wasatch Trail Run Series
The Wasatch Trail Run Series takes place spring thru summer on Wednesday evenings on the dirt trails of open space preserves and ski resorts along the Wasatch Front/Park City in Utah. The Wednesday evening races offer both a Short Course (3-5 miles) and Long Course (7-9 miles) accommodating the needs of all skill levels. Each race concludes with an awesome Give-Away for participants composed of a table loaded with outdoor retail items (shoes, packs etc.) donated by sponsors. Find out more, sign up, or volunteer!
Community Volunteer Night - Trails Foundation of Northern Utah
Tuesday, June 14
5:30-7:30pm
298 24th Street Suite 325 Ogden, UT, 84401
Would you like to make a difference on the trails that you love and use? Grab your work gloves and join in! They will be meeting at the yurt in the South Gate Parking lot of North Fork Park and will be performing some general trail upkeep and maintenance inside North Fork Park. To register, you must sign up through our GivePulse volunteer platform. Once you create a profile, you can easily sign up for opportunities all year long. You must be registered to participate. Sign up today!
2022 Utah Trails Forum Conference
"Trails Connect Everyone"
June 16 & 17 in Cedar City
Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation wants to invite you to join them at the 2nd annual Utah Trails Forum Conference in Cedar City. This two-day conference provides unique opportunities to connect all who care about trails: advocates, volunteers, land managers, industry professionals, users, and community leaders. Come together to bring big ideas for trails, solve issues that can complicate trail projects, and learn and share with engaging workshops and sessions. Find out more and register today!
 Level 9 Sports - Maintenance Mondays
Monday, June 27
Level 9 Sports, Downtown SLC
Join Level 9 Sports (founded here in Utah) the last Monday of each month this summer at their Downtown SLC Location to learn about bike maintenance! At each event their bike technicians will teach a different bike maintenance skill. The events are free and those with all levels of maintenance experience are welcome. Food and soft drinks will be provided, and participants are invited to leave their bike for a semi-annual tune-up at 25% off. More info.
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Other Trail News
News from our trail partners
2022 Utah Outdoor Recreation Grants
The Office of Outdoor Recreation recently awarded $11 million in matching grant funding through the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (see what funds Trails Utah received for ongoing projects above). These funds will go towards creation of new outdoor recreation infrastructure throughout the state, while providing needed maintenance to some of the state's most used areas. Check out the full list of awarded projects!
Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation Moving to Department of Natural Resources
With the passage of HB 305, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation will be leaving the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity on July 1 to join the Utah Department of Natural Resources. As part of this move, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation will be merged into the Utah Division of Recreation to create the new Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. Read the full press release.
Upper Jacob’s Ladder trail realignment to Lone Peak Cirque
Work on this trail has begun again for the season, by Singletrack Trails for Salt Lake Climbers Alliance. Thanks to Draper City Trails and Open Space and the USFS for supporting this multi year project. SLCA couldn’t do this project without funding support from grant partners including the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, Recreational Trails Program Grant, and many more. More details here.
 GRiT Program (Girls Riding Together)
National Interscholastic Cycling Association's (NICA) GRiT initiative exists to give girls and women equitable access to the transformative power of mountain biking. Through GRiT, they create the safe spaces and opportunities necessary for women and girls to engage, build confidence, belong, and thrive as riders and humans. Find out more.
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Looking for employment in the trail world? Look no further...
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HELP US BRING YOUR TRAIL DREAMS TO LIFE!
We can't make trails happen without funding - your financial support is crucial to the work we do year-round to plan for, fund and build trails. The trails we build offer all of us better access to recreation, healthy living and opportunities to get into the outdoors!
Become a Corporate Sponsor
If you are a business-owner, consider making a contribution that will support all the trails that make our communities great places to live, work and play.
Make a Donation
We welcome donations at any level. Your dollars will be consolidated and put to work to bring your trail dreams to life.
To make it even easier, just scan our QR code and pay via Venmo!
Thank you!
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Seeking Feedback
Please take our Trails Utah Community Survey!
We are interested in finding out more about our trail users so that we can better serve you into the future!
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THANK YOU!
To our most recent supporters:
Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation
Sorenson Legacy Foundation
Central Wasatch Commission
East High Mountain Bike Team
Molly Barth
Kevin Christopherson
Xmission (generously provides our email services free of charge)
Lily Milner (generously provides our web work free of charge)
We are deeply appreciative!
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