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 In 2001, Weber Pathways purchased the Rail Trail corridor in northwest Weber County, and soon after opened the Weber Pathways Rail Trail. This trail starts at the County Line Trailhead (on 4000 North, about 1 mile west of the Smith and Edwards store) and extends for about 10 miles to the west. The Harold Crane Trailhead also provides access to the trail and is located on the north end of 6700 West.
Weber Pathways is now planning improvements to the Rail Trail. This past spring we completed initial improvements to the County Line Trailhead, improving the parking area, adding new signage, planting trees and bushes, and installing fencing to restrict motorized travel on the trail. In the future, we plan to improve the trail surface and to add more trees and bushes along the length of the trail. |
 The Weber Pathways Rail Trail began its life as the Little Mountain Branch Railroad, built by the Union Pacific in 1971 to compete with the Southern Pacific hauling salt and other minerals from the Great Salt Lake. After the UP-SP merger, the line became redundant, and Weber Pathways purchased the railroad corridor to save it for trail use, preserving 231 acres of wildlife habitat in the bargain. The trail, dedicated June 1, 2002, is Utah’s second “Rails-to-Trails” conversion (the first is near Park City). |
 This trail doesn’t offer any mountain slopes or alpine forests, just miles of level, easy riding and a panoramic vista of the Wasatch Range rising above the wetlands and farmlands. Other things to see include the old railroad mile markers and warning symbols, plus a seasonal abundance of wildlife, including ducks, geese, white pelicans, black-necked stilts, American avocets, white-faced ibis, and yellow-headed blackbirds. You’ll enjoy this trail best in the cooler months or early in the morning. Don’t forget the insect repellent! The last 3 miles of the trail, west of 6700 West, are closed from March 1 to September 1 to protect the bird nesting habitat. |
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