Five southern Utah scenic off-highway roads and wooded trails will get face lifts, thanks to state and federal grant programs.
Two projects - the Brian Head Town Bike Trail and the Blowhard Trail near Cedar City - were awarded $56,250 in matching funds to create new trails in Iron County.The first phase of the Brian Head Town Bike Trail received $40,000 in matching funds to construct a bike trail loop through the town. The loop will connect the trail with existing and proposed U.S. Forest Service and Brian Head Resort trails and provide access to local businesses.
The Cedar City District of the Forest Service applied for $16,250 in matching funds to relocate the Blowhard Trail.
The trail, which is currently in the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area, needs to be relocated because it is a popular mountain bike trail and bicycles are not allowed in wilderness areas.
The new construction will give mountain bikers a loop to ride and will include improvements such as a restroom.
Three other southern Utah projects were granted off-highway-vehicle matching grants.
The Sand Canyon Wash OHV Trail at Coral Pink Sand Dune State Park received $500, and the Gateway Trailhead in the Dixie National Forest Cedar City District received $11,500 in matching funds for improvements.