Emery County groups, state crews mobilize to repair washed-out trails; officials highlight grant changes and OHV funding

Emery County volunteers, state crews and nonprofit trail crews said they will repair multiple trailheads and single-track routes damaged by recent rains and by UDOT work, with work planned in late September and continuing into the fall.

County and volunteer leaders described repairs at trailheads in Straight Canyon and other sites where trails were scraped away, putting users within a few yards of highway traffic. A coalition meeting scheduled with a contractor identified as “Nate” will use county grant money to rebuild trailhead access and stair work; county and coalition leaders said they will hire professionally skilled trail crews for technical rock and stair construction.

The matter drew sustained discussion because committee members said the washed-out trailheads create a public-safety hazard where climbers and riders currently “dart” onto roads where the trail ends. Committee members said a BLM skid steer, backcountry pilots to assist logistics and volunteer crews will be used on a two-day September project covering two trails…