A brand-new, five-mile multipurpose trail near Park City at Guardsman Pass opens

Park City, Utah – At the summit of Guardsman Pass, close to Park City, there’s a new multi-use route in Bonanza Flat for avid hikers, mountain bikers, and burgeoning leaf peepers.

Hikers can explore some of the most breathtaking vistas and sceneries of Bonanza Flat on the five-mile Bonanza Loop trail. The loop will offer a distinctive hiking experience and some mountain biking opportunities, according to representatives from Utah Open Lands, Park City, and the Mountain Trails Foundation.

But the new loop has limitations. For example, dogs are not permitted, and it is only open during specific seasons of the year.

The trail passes through a region that is heavily used by wildlife. Moose, deer, elk, bears, and cougars live in the area, according to Utah Open Lands. Because of this, a lot of animals raise their young nearby, which means that at vulnerable stages of their life cycles, wildlife can be especially active. Reducing the number of canine encounters with wildlife is the aim of the trail’s seasonal closures.

Executive director of Utah Open Lands Wendy Fisher stated that while a well-constructed trail enhances the recreational experience, many people are unaware that it also takes other conservation considerations into account. Tana Toly, a council member for Park City, concurred, stating that the council took balance into account while determining the trail’s alignment.

“We took into account a great deal of valuable community feedback and depended on the knowledge of our partners at Utah Open Lands and Mountain Trails Foundation,” Toly stated.

Officials from all three organizations stated that the idea of a multi-use route similar to Bonanza Loop was always part of the plan for the Bonanza Flat Conservation Area, despite its limitations and sensitivity to wildlife. The more than 1,500-acre conservation area has alpine lakes, a number of trails, and habitats for wildlife. Restoring inoperable and unsustainable social paths in support of safeguarding recreational usage and wildlife values was one of the conservation area plan’s objectives.

“This trail is a shining example of how nonprofits working together benefits the public and the ecosystem,” said Lora Anthony, executive director of the Mountain Trails Foundation.

On Wednesday, August 28 from 3 to 5 p.m., close to the Bonanza Flat parking lot, there will be an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bonanza Loop Trail. After the ceremony, the public is welcome to ride or trek the loop.