Heber Valley Life

Tag: Wasatch Trails Foundation

  • The First Official Backcountry Trail Connection Between Summit and Wasatch Counties

    The First Official Backcountry Trail Connection Between Summit and Wasatch Counties

    HEBER CITY, UT (Dec. 22, 2025) — The Wasatch Trails Foundation (WTF) and the Mountain Trails Foundation (MTF) will officially open the BLT (Bonanza Loop Trail) to WOW Connector Trail in Spring of 2026, conditions permitting. This five mile connection will offer a backcountry trail experience to hikers, runners, and bikers through stunning terrain and serve as the first official connection between Wasatch and Summit County trail systems.

    The project was originally conceived over 10 years ago by Rick Fournier, former MTF trails manager and Scott House, current WTF board president. The trail consists of one main multiuse/bidirectional connector, Tall T, an intermediate downhill MTB trail, WOWZA DH (with advanced options), an MTB climb/multiuse trail, WOWZA, and a hike-only spur, Boulder Dash.

    Executive Director of the Mountain Trails Foundation, Lora Anthony said, “The entire system of WOW trails isn’t just connecting communities through trails, it is a shining example of what longterm, supportive relationships between many partner organizations can bring to bear. Mountain Trails is proud to be but one spoke in this wheel of success.”

    “It’s super exciting to see WOWZA come to life as part of the broader Bonanza Flat to WOW Trail connection. Its location speaks to the Foundation’s commitment to balance wilderness and open space protection, while still providing meaningful trail connections. The build of the trail reflects our abilities to integrate natural features and terrain into a modern, sustainable trail design that is sure to get riders of all levels stoked,” said House.

    The BLT to WOW Connector Trail project was funded by three separate grants, two from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, UORG (Utah Outdoor Recreation) and RTP (Recreational Trails
    Program), and a smaller grant from the Wasatch County TAP (Trails Arts and Parks) Tax. Through hard work and determination, WTF received all approvals to hire MTF as the trail contractor and begin construction in the Spring of 2024 with a hard completion deadline of Fall 2025.

    Project coordinators faced numerous obstacles in completing this project, including, but not limited to, wildlife mitigation areas, changing tides in the Park City political space and building over the dangerously steep terrain of Tall T peak (elevation 9,360”). Current WTF executive director, Mia Yue stated, “There were multiple times over the last three years that I was convinced this connection was dead in the water. Without the support and pure grit of our Board (WTF) and our main partner, Mountain Trails Foundation, we would not have made this happen.”

    To support future projects and become a member of the Wasatch Trails Foundation, visit wasatchtrails.org.

    About Wasatch Trails Foundation

    Wasatch Trails Foundation is a not for profit 501(c)(3) that advocates for trails in Wasatch County. The foundation is committed to cultivating memorable experiences for the community by enhancing and preserving outdoor spaces. Its efforts are guided by three key pillars: building and maintaining a healthy trail system, connecting the community, and ensuring that everything is built to last. Through collaboration with its members, volunteers and local officials, Wasatch Trails Foundation creates sustainable spaces that support the outdoor lifestyle and strengthen community bonds.

    Learn more > Wasatch Trails Foundation

    Learn more > Mountain Trails Foundation

  • Wasatch Trails Foundation

    Wasatch Trails Foundation

    Mountain Trails Foundation, Park City Mountain through Vail Resorts EpicPromise donate $100,000 to support Wasatch Back trails nonprofits

    South Summit Trails Foundation and Wasatch Trails Foundation to receive funding from Mountain Trails Foundation through Park City Mountain and Vail Resorts EpicPromise to expand and improve local trail networks.

    Mountain Trails Foundation, through its partnership with Park City Mountain and Vail Resorts EpicPromise, is helping Wasatch Back trails nonprofits, South Summit Trails Foundation and Wasatch Trails Foundation expand and improve local trail networks.

    “Amid growing population in our region, and increasing popularity of trail use, one of the most effective strategies for preserving our world-class trails is to disperse trail users across a wider area. By funding local, immediately accessible trail amenities, we not only diminish trail use impacts but concurrently enhance the social, mental and physical well-being of people living on the Wasatch Back,” said Lora Smith, executive director of Mountain Trails Foundation. “Through our partnership with Park City Mountain/Vail Resorts EpicPromise we aim to provide the best trail experience for the greatest number of trail lovers out there – whether they’re locals or visitors.”

    The Park City-based EpicPromise Trails Committee approved three trail projects from South Summit Trails Foundation and Wasatch Trails Foundation:

    South Summit Trails Foundation:

    · Oakley Trail Park restoration and maintenance ($25,000)

    · Hilltop Road Trail ($25,000)

    Wasatch Trails Foundation

    · Restoration, maintenance and improvements on WOW, Phosphate East, Donkey Ridge trails and the Pine Canyon Bike Park. ($50,000)

    “Park City Mountain is proud to be a long-time partner of Mountain Trails Foundation through Vail Resorts EpicPromise,” said Deirdra Walsh, vice president and COO of Park City Mountain. “We are thrilled to be able to help Mountain Trails further their impact and support South Summit Trails Foundation and Wasatch Trails Foundation to enhance and improve the trail systems throughout the entire Wasatch Back.”

    EpicPromise partnership funding will be applied to each project to help meet the required 50% match for anticipated grant funding from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. This strategy effectively doubles the power of the EpicPromise partnership funding. Volunteer and in-kind support adds further value.

    “Wasatch Trails Foundation is beyond thrilled to be a part of such a generous community project,” said Mia Yue, executive director of Wasatch Trails Foundation. “We are eternally grateful for the support that Park City Mountain through Vail Resorts EpicPromise has provided to our organization and — more importantly — our community.”

    About Mountain Trails Foundation:

    Mountain Trails Foundation’s mission is to build, maintain and protect trails for non-motorized recreation on the Wasatch Back. They are the Park City Community Partner with Park City Mountain and Vail Resort’s EpicPromise. https://mountaintrails.org/

    About South Summit Trails Foundation

    South Summit Trails Foundation’s mission is to enhance the lives of community members through a system of interconnected and continuous regional and community trails located throughout the South Summit area of Utah. https://www.southsummittrails.org/

    About Wasatch Trails Foundation

    Wasatch Trails Foundation’s mission is to support, plan, build, and maintain a comprehensive, sustainable, year-round, multi-use trail system in Wasatch County, Utah to provide outdoor recreation opportunities to meet the growing needs of the biking, hiking and equestrian communities who visit and call Wasatch County home. https://www.wasatchtrails.org/

    About Park City Mountain

    Park City Mountain, the largest resort in the United States, is located in the heart of Park City, Utah, only a 35-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport. With two distinct base areas, Park City Mountain bustles with outdoor activities year-round across its two distinct base areas, numerous lodging options, and more than two-dozen restaurants, cafes and bars. Park City Mountain offers more than 7,300 acres of lift-accessible terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels, a world-class ski and snowboard school and more. Additional information is available at http://parkcitymountain.com.

    About Vail Resorts EpicPromise

    EpicPromise is the charitable arm of Vail Resorts and is how the Company embodies its foundational value – Do Good. By supporting the health of local communities through local grants, employee volunteering and inclusive access, the wellbeing and development of employees, and the resilience of our environment and global climate, EpicPromise helps create a more promising future for generations to come. https://www.epicpromise.com/

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