Sundance will close its trails to mountain bikers and its trail head leading to Stewart Falls to hikers because of overuse and the resort's inability to accommodate an increasing number of visitors.
"We are having to make tough decisions about what we can offer the public and what we can't," said Julie Mack, environmental facilitator for Sundance. "As the population in the Wasatch Front increases, recreation needs increase."Mack said Sundance will close its trails to mountain bikers because they cause damage by straying from the trails and through general overuse. There also have been conflicts between bikers and horseback riders who share the trails.
The trail head to Stewart Falls, which Sundance closed last year, will remain closed because the trail needs time to revegetate after suffering from wear and tear, erosion and overuse, Mack said.
"It's such a popular trail, so many people like to use it," Mack said. "It's a fragile environment that gets damaged very quickly."
Mack also said the resort wants to "maintain the integrity of the mountain" and keep a serene setting for its guests.
Guests have had difficulty parking because of the number of picnickers, bikers and hikers using the small lot.
"The bottom line is that we are a business and we need to be able to provide our guests with what they want - a quiet, serene experience," Mack said.
"We can offer resort facilities, we are not a public park. We can't be all things to all people," she said.
The Sundance resort has a summer theater, a children's theater, two restaurants, skiing and an equestrian center.
Mack said the canyon offers other alternatives for hikers, picnickers and mountain bikers. "We feel comfortable making this decision because there are so many alternatives."
(Additional information)
Alternatives to Sundance
Hiking to Stewart Falls:
- Theater-in-the-Pines trail head on the Aspen Grove trail Picnicking:
- Hope Campground - access on Squaw Peak Road
- Theater-in-the-Pines - access from Alpine Loop
- Wasatch Mountain State Park - access from Cascade Springs Scenic Drive or Provo Canyon Scenic Byway Mountain biking:
- Ridge Trail - access from Alpine Loop
- Cascade Springs Road - access from Cascade Springs Scenic Drive or Provo Scenic Byway
- Timpooneke Road - access from Alpine Loop
- Squaw Peak Road - access from Provo Canyon Scenic Byway
- Great Western Trail - access from South Fork of Provo Canyon