This article originally appeared on DeseretNews.com on March 22, 2017.
WASHINGTON — The National Park Foundation has received a grant from the Polaris Foundation to help expand access to the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area by enhancing the Arapeen OHV Trail System in the Manti-LaSal National Forest.
The improvements will begin this summer and will include the addition of road base to the upper 6.6 miles of Manti Canyon from the intersection of North Fork to Skyline Drive (Arapeen OHV Trail No. 1).
“The Arapeen OHV Trail System is one of Utah’s great high-mountain trails. It is open to side by sides, ATVs, 4×4 vehicles and motorcycles. The best time to ride is July through September,” Kevin Christensen, Sanpete County’s economic development director, said in a statement announcing the grant.
Other Arapeen Trail System projects completed or underway include work on trails No. 4 in Mt. Pleasant Canyon; No. 42 in New Canyon near Ephraim; No. 35 in 6-Mile Canyon near Sterling; and No. 37 in Manti Canyon. In addition to these trail improvement projects, the trail system is also investing in new facilities, adding a trailside restroom along trail No. 35.
The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area was established in 2006 for the purpose of commemorating the efforts and sacrifices made by Mormon pioneers in the early years of their settlement across central and southern Utah.
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In between writing short stories she’ll never finish and marathoning Marvel movies, Megan Finley is often found missing the loves of her life, her two cats Leia and Loki. Her passion for “geek culture” extends into her passion for academics, as she is an optimistic MA student with plans to be the next Professor X (with hair). Her life’s dream is a simple one—to drink a hot chocolate in every Disney park in the world.
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This is great news! All the best to the continuing of this historical Mormon Trail.
I am a member of the Back Country Horsemen of Utah , bchu.com ,in the Wasatch Front Chapter. For help or continual trail maintenance you may want to contact the local BCHU chapter in that area.
Also, is this Mormon Trail open to private livestock riding/Horses/Mules?
Thank you, Ann Hyde
Hello Ann,
This is great news, indeed! We can’t wait to see the new developments.
As for your question regarding horses along the trail, you may find your answer by searching their official website here: https://www.nps.gov/mopi/faqs.htm
You can also find their contact information, should you have any more questions.
All the best,
Megan