BLM to begin improvements at Wire Pass Trailhead
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KANAB, Utah — Construction for facility improvements at the Wire Pass Trailhead is scheduled to begin on March 10, 2021 and continue through the end of May. The project is located in Kane County along House Rock Valley Road, approximately 40 miles east of Kanab, on public lands managed by the BLM Kanab Field Office.
Project improvements will include an expanded parking area, new restrooms and new trailhead kiosk signage. Most recently, the Kanab Field Office has also upgraded the day-use fee payment system to a new digital pass system through Recreation.gov, enabling hikers to pay for day-use permits digitally at either the trailhead or in advance from anywhere the internet can be accessed.
“This new digital-payment system went into effect in November 2020, and we recognize that there have been occasional hiccups with service connectivity,” said Kanab Field Office Outdoor Recreation Planner Taylor Linton. “We have since installed additional equipment to improve both cell service and internet Wi-Fi availability. At this time, should hikers be unable to pay digitally on-site, we ask them to not fret as they may pay upon returning from their hike at a location with internet access. Visitors may also pay ahead of time.”
“As visitation to this area has increased exponentially in recent years, our intent is to strike an appropriate balance between meeting visitor’s needs and minimizing environmental impacts to the surrounding area,” said Kanab Field Office Manager Whit Bunting. “We trust these improvements will meet that need for years to come.”
During construction, crews plan to keep the area open for visiting hikers. Motorists are asked to use caution, as there will be equipment operating during daylight hours within close proximity of the trailhead and there may be dust in the air. Dust-sensitive visitors should use caution while in the area and take appropriate precautions.
For more information about Wire Pass, please visit “Wire Pass Day Use” at Recreation.gov. For more information about the expansion project, please visit DOI-BLM-AZ-A020-2019-0003-EA on the BLM’s ePlanning website.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.