A funding agreement has been reached for developing Phase 2 of the Via Ferrata in Ashley Gorge. The Uintah County Commission approved the agreement with Access Utah during Tuesday’s Commission meeting. Access Utah is a nonprofit that is focused on supporting the implementation of vertical trails, aka Via Ferrata, as well as other outdoor opportunities across the state. “This phase would include two potential new routes and a route extension. If developed, the routes would help direct recreationists away from sensitive water sources and provide the option for a second day of climbing, without increasing the overall capacity of the via ferrata,” shares a release from Uintah County. “Phase Two planning and route development would be funded by Access Utah. Uintah County plans to apply for a Utah Department of Outdoor Recreation grant to support parking and restroom improvements. Any future development would involve engineers specializing in low-impact climbing route installation.”
