Utah's Statewide Trails Program

What a year it’s been for trail maintenance in Utah! Please enjoy this newsletter, packed with highlights from the past year, and details about what to anticipate from our team next year. 

A huge thank you goes out to our incredible regional trail crew supervisors, whose leadership and dedication have made all the difference in keeping many more of our trails passable and in top-notch condition. 

• 126 projects
• 512.5 miles of trail work completed
• 397 miles on motorized trails
• 115.5 miles on non-motorized trails
• 436 volunteer hours contributed

Please enjoy some of our Regional Trail Crew Supervisor's most meaningful projects of the season.

The Northern Region Crew worked with the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation on a washed-out, steep climbing access trail to install rock retaining walls, drains, and stairs that improved climbing access and improved accessibility. The crew learned the basics of rock work and greatly accelerated the process of CCF's large project there.

The Northern Region Crew worked alongside the Logan Ranger district to install new reflective signs up Logan Canyon. The crew helped them make a huge dent in their workload by putting in 14 signs and building and installing one kiosk over two weeks. This was a huge help to the district, as budget constraints have made it hard for them to get the help they need.

This project took place in Fishlake National Forest in the Beaver Ranger District, in collaboration with the Richfield Ranger District’s motorized trail crew, non-motorized trail crew, and timber crew. Together, they worked to remove hazardous and downed trees that had made the trail impassable to the public. This trail had been closed since June 2024 due to a 5,367-acre fire, remaining inaccessible during the Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree and Beaver County ATV Jamboree, where the PST 68 trail has traditionally been featured. The closure also impacted several big game hunting seasons in the area. After spending six days in this location, along with other Forest Service crews, the Forest Service has now officially reopened the trail to the public.

The Dixie National Forest Bridge Project was a collaborative effort with the Loa Ranger District of the Fishlake National Forest. The trail crew partnered with motorized trail crews from the Richfield and Loa Ranger Districts to remove three old bridges and install three new ones. The Loa District team was especially excited about the demolition, quickly dismantling the old bridges while our crew transported materials. These bridges are part of the Rosebud ATV Trail on Boulder Mountain, providing the public access to hunting, fishing, and breathtaking vistas through dense Ponderosa pine forests.

The crew worked with Mike Innes, Andy Farrell and Julia Johnson (an SUU intern) from the BLM office in Cedar City on this project. Due to the size of the posts and rails, it was a more challenging task than they realized. The pre-cut holes in the posts were too small for the rails to fit, requiring the crew to spend significant time enlarging them. After measuring, marking and cutting each hole to the correct size, they used an auger to set the massive posts in place.

The crew worked with Jess Hancock, Chase Hamill and Reed Schweighardt (an SUU intern) from the Cedar City Ranger District and Robert 'Hazard' Brown with Garfield County. These trails were initially proposed by Garfield County to the Forest Service, making this a strong project to support and foster a more collaborative approach to trail improvements. 

Although the Delong and Mortenson trails are relatively short, the crew completed substantial saw work within the limited distance, removing approximately 160 trees from the Mortenson trail alone. After resolving some mechanical issues with the saws, the crew was able to continue work. Special thanks to Jess Hancock from the Cedar City Ranger District. These trails will provide future opportunities for collaboration between Garfield County and the Forest Service in the coming years. 

Throughout the season, the crew worked on multiple one- to two-week projects across southeastern Utah. Each project brought a mix of tasks, varied terrain, and changing weather, offering unique learning opportunities and a refreshing change of pace as the season progressed. The crew’s ongoing project was the Tuk Exit Trail, a new mountain bike trail in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, winding through peaks overlooking Moab.

The Tuk Exit Trail provided invaluable hands-on learning for the crew. From tread construction to safe tree felling, it was impressive to watch the team grow and refine their skills. A sense of personal pride developed as each member took responsibility for their assigned section, taking time to perfect each backslope and carefully shape the raised edges on tight corners. The crew often discussed how rewarding it would be to return in the future and see the lasting impact of their work.

Working alongside the Forest Service and Brian Murphy has been a pleasure, and the crew looks forward to future collaborations.

As crew numbers grow, so does the need for safe and effective training. This past year, the crew began developing a chainsaw training program with the help of the US Forest Service. Saw work is a critical component of trail work, and the crews are committed to providing the knowledge needed to use these tools safely and effectively. All trail crew supervisors are qualified to train their crew members, empowering them to make an impact statewide. The crew will continue to develop its team’s skills to ensure safety and improve service to the public, with the saw program setting a strong example for this season and beyond. 

Does your organization have a project that needs our support? A large part of trail maintenance projects is planning, prioritizing and assigning resources efficiently to accomplish a high standard of work.

Partnership is of the utmost importance and planning ahead is crucial to our success. Knowing this we have developed a form that partners can utilize to request work and outline their needs. Eligible entities can apply using the button above. 

In October, the Division taught a two-day rigging training course for the Grand County Trail Crew to assist them with moving large rocks to help repair damage from intense summer thunderstorms. The training provided strategies to efficiently move large rocks in challenging terrain while keeping the crew and trail users safe. After this training, Grand County successfully repaired the most significant damage to Pipe Dream Trail.

The Utah Trails Forum (UTF) is in the middle of its three-month mentorship program where six experienced professionals are sharing their knowledge and insights with a cohort of mentees to help elevate the knowledge of the next generation of Utah Trail Leaders. 

A special thanks to this years mentors:

• Bryan Carter
• Dave Jacobson
• Don Taylor
• Jake Powel
• Jenna Jorgensen
• Landis Wenger

If you are interested in applying to join the last few sessions, please fill out the mentee application by clicking the button below.

Wanted: Utah Trailblazers!

We’re calling on passionate trail enthusiasts, builders, and advocates to join us for the  Utah Trails Conference 2025  in Kanab, Utah on April 23-24.

This year’s gathering will celebrate the spirit of trailblazing with two days of exploration, learning, and innovation:

April 23: Gear up for a day in the field with outdoor workshops, hands-on activities, and immersive training sessions designed to hone your trail-building skills. End the day with the annual Kick-Off Dinner! This year's dinner will be at Jackson Flat Reservoir and is presented by Kane County Water Conservancy.

April 24: Dive into a day of engaging content focused on trail building, maintenance, and laws that affect our outdoor spaces.

Submit your proposal to put on a  field workshop  or lead a  panel session .

For early bird rates

Our trails turn into snow in the winter, and so do our operations. Our Regional Trail Crew Supervisors contribute efforts to help Utah’s Grooming Program. 

Are you experienced in operating Sno-Cats and looking to train others on Utah's rugged winter terrain? We're hiring two Sno-Cat Operator Trainers for a seasonal role, from December through April. This is a great opportunity to work outdoors, lead a team, and contribute to Utah’s outdoor recreation landscape!

Key Requirements:

• Experience in Sno-Cat operation or a related field
• Physical stamina for rigorous outdoor conditions
• Ability to work in adverse winter weather conditions

How to Apply:

Submit your resume to Mike Thomas (Statewide Trail Crew Supervisor) at mthomas@utah.gov

Have questions? Call Mike Thomas at 801-503-4188.