Trail Talk
Trails Utah Monthly Newsletter
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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. We seek to connect, steward and celebrate our communities and Utah's natural spaces.
We hope you find Trail Talk educational and even entertaining!
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Trail Updates
What's new with our trails, and with Trails Utah?
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TRAIL PROJECTS
New Trail Projects
Rim to River Trail
Trails Utah is working with a private land owner in Washington County to create a public access trail from the canyon rim down to the river in Confluence Park. This trail will start next to the popular River Rock Roasting Company. The land owner is allowing the city and Trails Utah to build this trail on his property. This is a popular stop-over for people heading to Zion National Park. The trail will be a total of approximately 400ft to the canyon bottom. This project is fully funded and construction is slated to begin in the Spring of 2023.
Silver Lake Trail
Trails Utah has developed a partnership with US Forest Service and Salt Lake County to completely revamp the Silver Lake Loop Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon, in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. This trail is the most heavily visited point of interest in the Wasatch Mountains and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. USFS is already working on replacing the boardwalk section of this .9-mile loop. Trails Utah will be working on refurbishing the natural surface sections of the trail that loops around the southern and eastern trail segments. We will be replacing disintegrating handrails and wooden retaining walls with stacked rock. This trail is the only ADA-accessible trail in the Wasatch and the trail tread will be designed and installed to accommodate wheelchairs and other adaptive modes of non-motorized transport. This project is fully funded and construction is slated to begin in the Spring of 2023.
Trails In Progress
Nung 'wu Poa Trail - Phase II
Trails Utah is helping build a new approximately 2.5-mile multi-use trail in partnership with Town of Springdale, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah and Trail Alliance of Southern Utah. We have hired a trail building contractor and 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. They are currently working on flagging the route and we are awaiting approval from Town of Springdale to start construction this fall or early next spring. This is a team effort and we are thrilled to be a part of this exciting trail project! Supporter of the project include Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, Town of Springdale, and YOU! Find out more about this trail.
Grandeur Peak Section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST)
Trails Utah is completing the construction of a section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail between Big Cottonwood Canyon and Ferguson Canyon trailhead with support from the US Forest Service, Salt Lake Ranger District, and the Central Wasatch Commission. Trail construction has ended for the season with approximately 25% of the 2-mile trail project completed. This lower section was the most challenging part of the project with significant rock outcrops to jackhammer through to create the four-foot wide solid benchcut trail. We regret the construction delay was caused partly by our trail builder sustaining a broken foot while on the job, however this new section of Bonneville Shoreline Trail is slated for completion in 2023. Help us complete this project by making a donation to Trails Utah. Thank you! See a map and more info.
Ferguson Dogwood BST Connector
Our contractor - Nature Trails - is on the job making a new section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail between Ferguson Canyon trailhead and Dogwood picnic area in Big Cottonwood Canyon. They are machine building almost a quarter mile of new trail, which is about 20% of the entire project. Much of the trail has already been built by hand since the middle section crosses a Wilderness area where mechanized equipment is prohibited. The USFS will complete the final connection into the Dogwood trailhead in the Spring of 2023.
Trails AxS (Access) Project: Millcreek Canyon - Phase I
Trails Utah is working with Wasatch Adaptive Sports, National Ability Center, board member and adaptive rider Wally Lee, and the US Forest Service (USFS) on a project modifying existing trails to increase accessibility for hand-cyclists and adaptive runners. Trails Utah and our partners have completed a detailed walk/ride-through of our designated trails to record imagery and needed modifications. We are currently working on next steps with USFS. 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. 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. Financial support so far comes from Maverik / The Call Foundation, Sorenson Legacy Foundation, George S. & Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, and Walmart Community Grant. Big thanks to all of those entities for helping bring this project to life. We are currently seeking additional financial support to carry out these modifications. Find out more about this project.
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, consisting of approximately 3.5 total trail miles. In 2023 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
In October, the Park Rangers added the Foothills trail system to the many areas they are present throughout the City. Foothills Rangers will serve as friendly, uniformed stewards promoting voluntary compliance through educating trail users of trail policies and etiquette.
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 have now hired 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. They are working to develop plans for and implement at least five trailheads along the foothills. The selected firm's consultation will run through summer 2023, with the possibility of Phase II being implemented as early as fall 2023 or 2024. If you are interested in the progress of the Foothill Trails Plan implementation and want to voice support for trail construction, please reach out to Salt Lake City Trails Alliance.
C0MMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & CONFERENCES
We love engaging with our communities - meeting new people, listening to their ideas, and sharing what Trails Utah is all about. One way we do this is by participating in events. And conferences are wonderful opportunities to do the same with our cohorts in the trails community - federal, state and local entities and non-profits with similar goals. They are also great learning and networking opportunities.
This year, we participated in several events and conferences:
- Brighton Days
- 3 Cirque Series (trail foot races) events
- 3 NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) races
- Utah Trails Forum (we presented as well)
- Utah Outdoor Summit
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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 strength, and so much more. A lot goes into the realization, maintenance and advocacy of sustainable trails: policies and planning, stakeholder buy-in, fundraising, awareness and education, and stewardship of our trails. Trails Utah is dedicated to this entire process. A team effort is ever more necessary as populations grow and trail use increases. We hope you will support Trails Utah and our trail partners in these efforts!
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POLICY
Governor Cox Announces Vision for Connecting Trails Across Utah
Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox and Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Executive Director Carlos Braceras recently announced in a press conference a new vision for constructing a network of interstate trails to connect Utah. This vision will be a sustainable contribution to the quality of life for Utahns and visitors for generations to come. The event took place in Woods Cross near the Legacy Parkway Trail. Gov. Cox said, "At some point in the future, we'll be able to get from anywhere in Utah to anywhere else without having to get onto a roadway to accomplish that, and to do so safely in a way that brings people together." Following their remarks, Gov. Cox and Executive Director Braceras were available for one-on-one interviews. Trails Utah was proud to attend the announcement. Hearing firsthand that the state government is not only in support of trail development in Utah, but has its own vision of developing a network of inter-state trails is extremely exciting. The future of trails is here! Read more about the announcement here.
ADVOCACY
Utah Trails Forum
The Utah Trails Forum brings together industry professionals, trail advocates, volunteers, and community leaders to advance the building and care of natural surface trails. It encourages partnerships to plan, build and maintain trails from conception to completion. The forum also serves as a learning resource for individuals throughout Utah looking to further their knowledge of trail building and maintenance. Watch their YouTube video on "What it means to be a trail town". Trails Utah is proud to have a relationship with Utah Trails Forum as we all work towards improvement of our trails and trail systems in Utah.
Accessible Recreation Webinar
Check out Utah Trails Forum's excellent webinar, "Accessible Recreation beyond ADA" here. This thorough and educational video features staff from National Ability Center, Wasatch Adaptive Sports, the TRAILS program at University of Utah, Creative Trails, and our very own Trails Utah board member, Wally Lee.
Adaptive Equipment Grants
Whether an ORHC (offroad hand cycle) or prostheses, adaptive equipment is expensive and often not covered by health insurance. Here are a few great resources for grants to help you cover these expenses:
Free & Low-Cost Refurbished Bikes!
If buying a bike is beyond of your budgetary limits, check out the Bicycle Collective, with locations in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and St George. The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and recreation, and a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. We provide refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community focusing on children and lower income households.
Trail Master Planning Continues for the Central Wasatch
Trails Utah has been actively participating in trail master planning efforts with US Forest Service, Salt Lake City Watershed, and Salt Lake County. We are working to ensure that these plans dovetail and reference concurrent planning efforts. The Central Wasatch Commission Trails Committee continues to monitor progress in these endeavors.
STEWARDSHIP
Master Steward Course
Are you interested in helping steward Utah's trails, but aren't sure how to start? Utah State University offers an excellent "Master Steward Course" which will help build your skills. The course is geared towards providing volunteers, trail organizations, and land managers both a foundational understanding of the values inherent in trail stewardship as well as introducing the basic skills required to be a steward of our shared trail resources.
Volunteer with the Forest Service
The Forest Service has initiated an "Adopt-a-Trail" program. "The first trails in this country were game and Indian routes, which were later used by explorers, trappers, cattlemen, and farmers. These trails were kept open by outdoorsmen until a few decades ago when Forest Service trail crews began to do more and more of the work. The Spanish Fork Ranger District currently has over 300 miles of maintained system trails". The Forest Service invites you to join them in maintaining these important routes. You can help by "adopting" your favorite trail in the Forest Service and taking responsibility for its upkeep.
SUSTAINABILITY
Next Level Hiking Tip
Who has right of way?
Check out REI's informative article on "Who has right of way?" We've all been there - blissfully alone on a trail - until we meet up with another trail user. For everyone's enjoyment, we all need to know basic right-of-way standards.
Trail Etiquette
Check out this great trail etiquette resource from the Trails Foundation of Northern Utah. Enjoy, and please share!
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Trails Rx
The physical health benefits of getting out for a walk, hike, or a bike ride, even if it is for only 30 minutes a day, is well-documented and astonishing. It includes much more than better cardiovascular and muscle fitness. Increased metabolism for weight loss, improved digestion, and better sleep quality are some of the other benefits that provide significant positive impacts for long-term health. In our Trails Rx section, we will explore a myriad of ways trails improve health. Let's explore!
Hiking 101: Health Benefits of Hiking
Hiking is more than just fun. It’s good for you, too! Countless studies and research have consistently shown that regular exercise not only improves our overall health and fitness, but lengthens and improves the quality of our lives. Check out this list of ways hiking improves heath.
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IT'S GIVING SEASON
We need your help to make trails happen!
Give a little or a lot and we will put your dollars to work building sustainable state-of-the-art trails in your community and around Utah. And get some great swag, too!
Donor perk for 2022 !
Give at the $150 level or higher and you will get one of our custom-made ceramic mugs, with our Trails Utah logo on one side and a trail on the other. These mugs were hand-made by Kim Hall at Alpine Earthworks, based right here in Salt Lake City. Quantities are limited, so make your donation soon!
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Uinta Snowshoe
Saturday, December 3
10:00am
Meeting location: Kamas
Join South Summit Trails Foundation for an all ability level snowshoe in the gorgeous Uintas. Learn how to love winter again. Get your sweat on and clear that mind! Find out more and sign up here.
 Snowshoeing with Trail Sisters SLC
Sunday, December 18 @ 1:00pm
Solitude Nordic Center
Time to try something new! Or not if you've already tried snowshoeing. There are so many great things to do in our beautiful Wasatch! Join Trail Sisters SLC private Facebook group and join this outing.
 Level 9 Sports - Maintenance Mondays
Monday, December 26
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.
2023 Events Announced!
 BigFoot Snowshoe Festival
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Midway, UT
Go ahead ... you can do it ... yea that's right ... sign up for the only ultra 50K Snowshoe race in the country!!! Or if that sounds like a bit much there is a distance for everybody in the whole family from a marathon on down to a 25K a 10K and a 5K! If you love to run then you will love to do this. Snowshoes are available on race day at the visitors center where we start and finish the events. and BYU Outdoor Rental and REI. Find out more and register.
Kyhv Peak (formerly known as Squaw Peak) 50 Mile Trail Run
June 10, 2023
Provo, UT
Registration is now open for Utah's favorite and oldest 50 miler. This 50 mile trail run on June 10th 2023. This will be our 27th year. Don't miss out on all the fun and why not bring a friend to experience this beautiful course. It has all that makes this run an incredible day! Find out more and register here.
 OAX - Outdoor Adventure X - Festival
June 17-18, 2023
Snowbasin Resort, Huntsville, UT
Outdoor Adventure X is a celebration of the outdoors, adventure travel and the active lifestyle. Shop for gear and test the latest mountain bikes, kayaks, climbing equipment, and more. Then join us for classes, workshops and roundtable discussions hosted by wilderness experts, around-the-world travelers, athletes, and other top adventure pros. Find out more.
 The NUT - 2nd Annual Northern Utah Trailfest
October 6-8, 2023
Ogden, UT
Trails Foundation of Northern Utah (TFNU) has announced dates for their 2023 The NUT Fest, a new annual trail festival in Ogden. Registration opens February 7, 2023. Keep up to date on developments on TFNUs Facebook page.
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Other Trail News
News from our trail partners
 Updates from Mountain Trails Foundation (Summit County)
- Ramblin Round Valley - Abundant sunshine combined with marginal coverage has created some extremely poor afternoon conditions on local singletrack. GET OUT EARLY when the ground is frozen, and try to be off-trail by no later than 11am.
- Bodacious Bonanza Flat - Killer, mid-winter conditons at 9,000 feet. There is grooming of about 12K of Nordic as well as setting classic. Fat bike options won't be on-line til next week. In the meantime, feel free to ride the fatty's on the Nordic track - just stay on the outside edge, opposite the classic lanes, please. And, as always, be cognizant of your impact to the track, and lower your tire pressure if necessary.
- White Pine Nordic Center - It's now up and running - Park City Mountain is open with great early season conditions, and Deer Valley is coming soon.
 Updates from Lake Mountain Trails Association (LMTA)
UPDATE ON NIRVANA - PARTIAL CLOSURE
The property is being fenced off in order for the owner to run some horses in the property. It will be completely fenced and closed. this will affect two trails:
1. Nirvana - the small connector section between the bottom of turtle hill up to the top of the hill where you head down to the road, is now closed. You can no longer ride this. We will have to look to an alternate route around the property to connect the two sections of Nirvana.
2. Downward Spiral - the black trail coming down off of turtle hill - the very end is cut off. However, we can re-route this pretty easily and will look to do this as soon as fencing is completed.
LMTA hopes they can work out a way to re-route everything and continue to enjoy the area for a lot longer. Thankfully this is a loss of just a few hundred feet of trail and there are options. Please be respectful of the owner and the fence. LMTA wants to be a good partner and show land owners in the area they can work peacefully and respectfully with those partners. Keep updated on Lake Mountain Trails Association's work.
A Message from Trails Foundation of Northern Utah (TFNU)
TFNU has seen an increase in calls regarding motorized bikes and motorcycles on the trails and want to let you know that they hear you. They have been in contact with both the city and the county to see how best to approach this topic. As of today, the only guidelines for the area are listed on the TFNU website. Motorcycles are NOT allowed on any city side public trails. However, they ARE allowed on the Skyline Trail, which is on US Forest Service land. Please remember that it's about the trails and we want everyone to have a good, enjoyable experience while out using them. TFNU will update their website as They come across any additional information.
 New Utah County Trails Map
Utah Valley Trails Alliance has created a new webmap with what might be the most comprehensive database of *official* trails in Utah County. This interactive map includes trails in the mountainous back country, paved pathways in the valley, and the emerging trail system in the foothills surrounding Utah County's cities. - Check it out!
 Updates from Wasatch Trails Foundation
As of Nov 18 - Northside Jordanelle Ridge trails are holding snow and fat bike riding conditions are great. Riders are putting down 12-16 miles a session with multiple loop options with Looney Tunes and Sufferin. Be aware of ice forming on turns that face the sun. Also, be on the lookout for a bull and cow moose on upper Sufferin and the tree area between the top of Looney and top of Sufferin. The lower northeast loop of Wile E canyon is melted and not recommended, use the higher west side. If you are looking for dirt options, middle earth from UVU going south is dry. Keep updated on what's happening with Wasatch Trails Foundation.
 Updates from South Summit Trails Foundation
South Summit Trails Foundation recently broke ground on Phase 2 of the Slate Creek MTB trail in the Uintas. They are making serious progress, thanks to Creative Trails. The lower loop of 1.2 miles is complete and a great mountain bike trail for kids and families to enjoy - a short uphill and fun downhill through the trees! SSTF asks you to stay out of unfinished construction areas - lots of sharp machinery and tools in random locations! Once Phase 2 is complete, there will be 14.75 miles of new trails. The new trail is still closed so please obey the signage, we promise, it will be worth the wait! Follow SSTF on Instagram.
 Updates from Cache Trails Alliance
Boy Scout Troop 1 cleaned up Bridger Park and hauled off about 5 black bags of trash and pulled out a ton of weeds. There was a landscaping contractor working at the school and they offered to haul the weeds off for them! Keep up with what's happening with Cache Trails Alliance.
 Updates from Moab Trail Mix
Mountain bikers rejoice: Sand Flats Recreation Area, home to the popular trails Eagle Eye and Falcon Flow, is now home to a new trail, “Hawk’s Glide.” Rated intermediate, this trail will add another segment to the Raptor Route by connecting the two existing trails. Read more about the trail here.
 Updates from Back Country Horsemen of Utah
BCHU is celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2023! If you are an equestrian and considering joining BCHU, here is something consider...As a member of BCHA you are eligible to receive Equisure Insurance. $1 Million coverage for only $20 per Individual or $40 per Family. Find out more here.
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Looking for employment in the trail-related world? Look no further...
There are many trail jobs currently open throughout Utah. Rather than list them all, you can simply check out the full list here.
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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:
GRANTERS & SPONSORS
Maverik / The Call Foundation
George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation
Walmart Community Grant
Black Diamond Equipment
MEMBERS & DONORS
Randy Rasmussen
Alexandra Locke
Lara Kendall
John Peterson
Tor Langlo
Stephen Waits
Thomas Greene
Vicente Planelles
Thanks to all of you.
We are deeply appreciative!
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