Wasatch Trails Foundation outlines 'Heber Halo' to connect Heber Valley neighborhoods
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Summary
Mia Yu of the Wasatch Trails Foundation presented an interconnected 'Heber Halo' trail plan to Midway's Parks, Trails and Trees Committee, describing Phase 1 feasibility work with Legend Engineering, volunteer construction plans and a tentative connector build start in spring 2027.
Mia Yu, executive director of the Wasatch Trails Foundation, presented the committee with the foundation's 'Heber Halo' proposal — an interconnected trail system intended to bring trail access closer to homes across the Heber Valley.
Yu told the committee the foundation oversees roughly 175 miles of trails in Wasatch County, runs eight active projects and has an email list of about 1,400 supporters. "We're currently in the process of developing this Heber Halo," she said, describing the goal as a system that links neighborhoods from Mill Flat and Maple Grove to existing visitor-center trails and Deer Creek.
The foundation is conducting a Phase 1 feasibility study with Legend Engineering, Yu said, which includes soil scoring, drainage and bedrock analysis. The study will inform the route and construction difficulty; the group hopes to hike-and-flag trails this summer, apply for funding in winter and begin the connector trail in spring 2027. Yu said the group also leverages seasonal trail crews and volunteers to build and maintain routes.
Yu identified several technical and regulatory hurdles, including crossing Highway 40/US-189, wetlands and water availability on private properties and the need to coordinate with UDOT, state parks and landowners. She said Fish and Game has been consulted and expressed support for single-track options where appropriate. Yu also noted Deer Valley Resort currently assumes maintenance of some built trails but cannot manage sections still inside construction zones.
On funding, Yu thanked Midway City for contributing matching funds toward a roughly $700,000 grant to build an asphalt pump track at Southfield Park and said the foundation will seek similar partnerships for the Heber Halo. She offered to share maps and the feasibility findings with committee staff and invited members to volunteer and attend upcoming events.
Committee members asked practical questions about parking and state park passes for trailheads; Yu said some trailheads will require state park parking passes but the foundation is exploring member-access arrangements. The committee requested the foundation send the detailed map and asked staff to review the feasibility report when available.
The committee did not vote on funding or approvals at the meeting; next steps are for Yu to deliver the feasibility materials and for staff and members to review potential connections and permit needs.