In 2019, the Dingell Act conveyed Ashley Gorge to Uintah County to protect the Ashley Spring and karst system from mining operations. This act also stipulated that the canyon shall be used for non-motorized public recreation.

Fast forward to 2022; Uintah County has shared that they were presented with a nearly fully-funded opportunity to establish Utah's first public via ferrata somewhere in our backyard. The team (including via ferrata engineers) evaluated several potential sites on BLM, SITLA, Forest Service, and other county-owned land. Due to SITLA's no-bolting policy, the BLM and Forest Service not wanting to take on a new form of recreation, and the other sites providing inadequate features, Ashley Gorge became the clear winner. Curious about more? Check out our FAQs.

Protecting Ashley Spring is still the first priority, and Uintah County has been working with Ashley Valley Water & Sewer to create solutions that allow for public access and keep our drinking water safe. Some individuals want to paint the picture that having a via ferrata in Ashley Gorge will compromise our water supply, but this is a major misconception. In truth, there are several examples in the western U.S. that show us how the two can coexist safely. For more in-depth information addressing potential fears around drinking water contamination, see the FAQ page.

The entrance to the via ferrata is still being discussed, but the preferred route entrance would traverse Ashley Valley Water and Sewer property; they own the right (first) 1/3 of the entrance route.  The middle of the route (red arrows) is owned by a private family trust (access pending).  Uintah County owns the left 1/3 of the entrance route.  

If the County and Water District cannot agree on terms, the via ferrata entrance could bypass Water District property entirely and instead be built vertically on county land. However, a lateral route would be more accessible, enjoyable, and safe (for participants and for the water supply). Learn more on the FAQ page.