Across the American West, urban sprawl is destroying the wild spaces we mountain bikers, trail runners, and others love, and wildlife need to survive.
In southwestern Utah, the immensely popular Bear Claw Poppy Trail and the Zen Trail are in imminent danger of being destroyed.
I’ve signed a petition addressed to local officials to protect the trails, because it’s up to me – to us! – to step up and speak up to protect what we hold dear!
Where are Bear Claw Poppy Trail and Zen Trail?
The two trails are located in Moe’s Valley, an area just west of the city of St. George – all within Washington County, the fastest growing area in Utah.
More than 100,000 people – locals, out-of-area visitors, and international guests – use the trails and surrounding area each year, according to estimates by the Bureau of Land Management.
I expect those numbers to include participants and spectators of annual mountain bike events such as those produced by the Huntsman World Senior Games and the Intermountain Cup.
Dangers Facing Bear Claw Poppy Trail and Zen Trail
Utah State Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) is charged with managing 7.8 million total acres (including this 3,400-acre site), and generating revenue through its four divisions: sales and leases, energy and minerals, real estate planning and development, and surface resources. Monies go toward public schools and other state institutions.
In his guest editorial in Cycling West, Lukas Brinkeroff wrote SITLA “…has begun the process of receiving proposals to turn that land into cash.”
No one yet knows how the area would be developed.
This area is also a key component in the hotly debated Northern Corridor Highway, a major transportation project that would link Interstate 15 to Red Hills Parkway. All proposed route options would impact the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, historic places, residences, businesses, and city facilities, and add even more traffic into the downtown area.
In this YouTube video of the Dec. 5, 2024 St. George City Council meeting, several people including Lukas voiced their opposition to SITLA’s proposed actions and passion to protect the trails. Later, Mayor Michele Randall and other members voiced their support of safeguarding Moe’s Valley, using all available options toward that end, and seeking a resolution to the Northern Corridor Highway situation.
Why I Want to Protect Bear Claw Poppy and Zen Trails
I am a complete and utter “newbie” when it comes to mountain biking. I get the heebie-jeebies just looking down a teeny-weeny hill. For the time being, until my bike handling and confidence improve, I’ll stick with mostly-flat, hard-packed dirt to pedal around on.
But I am super curious about what lies over that imposing hill, around the blind curve, and how it feels to ride into a sweeping banked curve.
Because I do want to experience that kind of ride, I have something to work toward, and look forward to.
I want those trails to be there when I’m ready to ride them!
Join the Effort by Signing the Petition
I signed the petition to permanently save the Zen Trail and the Bear Claw Poppy Trail from development and destruction.
Won’t you please join me, too? Thank you!
Protect Greater Moe’s Valley Area
Sign the Petition!
(Opens the Google Doc in new window)
For more information, connect with:
- Lukas Brinkerhoff, Mooseknuckler Cycling Alliance on Instagram
- Cycling West, print and online cycling news source covering much of the western states including Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada.
- Conserve Southwest Utah and Northern Corridor Highway
- St. George City Council Meeting, Dec. 5, 2024 on YouTube (starts at 22:35 until 1:00:55 marks)
- Save Moe’s Valley includes maps and more information. Created by Southern Utah Climbers Association
- Utah State Trust Lands Administration “Who We Are” page