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This year the Friends launched an ambitious fundraising effort to
assist Wasatch Mountain State Park with a new project. That project is
a new non-motorized hiking/walking trail that will connect the Visitor
Center and the Huber Grove Historic Site. The trail is projected to
run for approximately one mile on a gentle grade along the south side
of the Snake Creek Canyon road, and will cross over to Huber Grove
just before reaching the historic site.
During most seasons of the year walkers and casual hikers can be seen
using the Snake Creek Canyon road for a pleasant stroll. Because of
vehicular sightseeing traffic, however, strolling Snake Creek Canyon
Road can be a potentially dangerous occupation. Construction of the
new trail will help reduce the danger to hikers and walkers while
providing another way for visitors to enjoy the state park environment.
Construction of a trail is an expensive and extensive project. The
trail projected will be about 8 feet wide with a firm surface.
Features such as benches are additional cost items. This type of trail
can cost anywhere from $50-$75,000. The Friends September fundraiser brought in more than $12,000 for trail construction. Wasatch Mountain State Park will match these funds, and a private party has agreed to provide an additional match. Thus we currently have a base of approximately $36,000 from which to start. The Utah Trails and Pathways Program (UTPP) provides 50/50 matching fiscal assistance grants to governmental agencies for planning, acquisition, and development of non-motorized trails. In addition, the program offers trails technical assistance and training. Funds from this program have been used to develop hiking, biking, nordic skiing, walking and equestrian trails. Applications for trails project funding under this program are due by May 1 of each year. We plan to submit an application for a UTPP grant for the Huber Grove Trail in the spring of 2008. Pending a decision on funding, construction of the trail could begin as early as Fall, 2008. In the meantime, Park staff and Friends members are actively involved in preliminary trail planning and design discussions.
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