Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park "The Rail Trail":
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Description:
The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park is a 28-mile, high-elevation trail that follows Interstate 80, from the charming streets of Park City through the smaller communities of Wanship and Coalville to Echo Reservoir. From a starting elevation of approximately 6,800 feet in Park City, you can cruise down the gentle 2% grade along Silver Creek for 14 miles through a narrow volcanic canyon. As the scenery transitions to wetlands and farms near Wanship and Silver Creek Canyon, a menagerie of wildlife—including fox, bald eagles, herons, moose, deer and beaver—often appears near the trail. The trail surface is primarily gravel, except for 3 miles from Park City north and a 0.5-mile section in Wanship. These asphalt sections are suitable for wheelchairs and in-line skaters.

After passing through the outskirts of Coalville, visitors will emerge at the bottom of Echo Reservoir, a Summit County water source and hotspot for recreational boating and fishing. Not only does the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park showcase the environmental diversity of this area, it helps celebrate the region's rich history.

The rail-trail follows the route of a historical railroad line that transported coal and silver ore during the region's mining heyday in the 1860s. To help commemorate this heritage, Summit County's Restaurant Tax Grant Committee provided the Mountain Trails Foundation with funds to place 16 plaques along the trail. These markers highlight the early Mormon settlers and ill-fated Donner family wagon train, the trail's intersection with the once-influential Lincoln Highway and the excavation site of Ice Age mammoths, among other historical sites and events.

The pathway may be relatively new, yet recreation has been the name of the game in Park City for decades, and the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail serves as a connector to several hundred miles of technical mountain bike trails, single-track paths requiring more skill that zigzag throughout the area.

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Parking & Trail Access:
Parking and access is available in Park City; along Silver Creek Drive (Exit 2 East off US 40); in Wanship; in Coalville and at Echo Reservoir.

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Reviews: [4 trail ratings]
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hercules13
By hercules13 in October, 2011
This trail is pleasant as far as aesthetics go. However, I would caution that this may not be the best trail for cycling. The trail is laden with puncture vine. We had four flat tires over the ride, and not enough tubes. Also, I would recommend starting in Park City rather than Echo, as there will be less uphill riding.
Trail Closure
By oldmanonabike in August, 2011
This trail is currently closed where it crosses under I-80 near Kimball Junction due to construction work on the I 80 bridge. So you can only ride about 7 miles out from Park City before you must turn back. It is anticipated that it wil reopen somtime late fall 2011
Mike Scott
By eagle3495 in May, 2011
My suggestion is that you drive to Coalville and ride to Park City in the morning when the wind is nil.... My favorite cafe in Park City is just about a half block West of the end of the trail. Windy Ridge Cafe has a great outside flowered patio and visible bike racks off the patio... Great food ant reasonable prices... Then enjoy the flat to downhill ride all the way back to Coalville...... :) Lots of wild trout in the Weber River close to Coalville and Wanship and the small stream, just before you reach Park City... Enjoy!... :)
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View of the trail just north of Wanship.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Echo Dam Rd. nr. I-80 (Echo Reservoir, Coalville) to Deer Valley Dr. nr. Aerie Dr. (Park City)
Counties: Summit
Trail Length: 28 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Ballast, Concrete
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6017516

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