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Uinta County approves amendment with Access Utah to add Via Ferrata exit routes at Ashley Gorge
Summary
The county commission approved an amendment allowing Access Utah to fund and add new bypass and exit routes and connecting trails for the Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata; the change is intended to improve route variety and provide additional exit options while supporting a state outdoor recreation grant application.
Uinta County commissioners voted to approve an amendment to the cooperative funding agreement with Access Utah that adds new routes and exit options to the Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata.
Travis Campbell, economic development, presented the proposal and said the amendment would add several new routes, including two exit routes at the top of the gorge and a bypass, all within the existing project footprint. He told commissioners Access Utah has provided upfront installation funding for earlier work and has covered match requirements for a previous Utah Outdoor Recreation grant. "These require a good deal of technical expertise… and that expertise comes with a cost," Campbell said, describing engineering, route testing and hardware installation that are necessary to reach national safety standards.
Campbell said the additional route work is intended to create more variety for climbers and provide alternate exit options that improve both user experience and safety. He added that Access Utah expects the improved footprint to strengthen a forthcoming state grant application; state officials have indicated the project is likely to be competitive when applications open later this month.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about footprint and routing; the presenter repeatedly emphasized that the new work would remain inside the existing footprint. An unidentified commissioner moved to approve the amendment as presented and the commission recorded an affirmative vote.
Next steps: county legal staff will finalize the amendment language and Access Utah will sign to enable engineering and installation work to proceed, pending grant awards and standard permitting.
