ST. GEORGE — The Virgin River flows through carved black and red sandstone, providing life to hundreds of species in the arid desert. Cottonwood and willow trees hold steady at its banks.
To preserve this lush oasis and create a different “feel” for the area, The Nature Conservancy has made some changes.
The nonprofit and owner of the 419-acre Sheep Bridge Nature Preserve announced in a recent news release that day-use parking and access to all portions of the JEM Trail is now permitted only on Bureau of Land Management trailheads.
Traditionally, mountain bikers could access the Lower JEM Trail from the preserve, located adjacent to the BLM’s Falls Park. Many visitors did not realize they were on private land, the nonprofit’s west desert regional director, Elaine York, told St. George News.
The trailhead is near Sheep Bridge, where hundreds of bikers have gathered, and while York said these recreators have not done anything wrong, the nonprofit hopes to create a “more peaceful feeling” for other users.
“When you go to a preserve, it’s usually a place where it’s kind of quiet and peaceful and the focus is on nature,” she said. “So it’s just shifting that bike focus more to BLM land while still allowing the bikers to come on the trail that’s on our property.”
Additionally, the Virgin River provides habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals unique to the corridor, York said.
“Anytime you’re in a desert, a lot of the animals end up using the river corridor for at least part of their life as a place to rest or have young or even get water,” she said. “So it’s important – not just this one stretch, but our focus is working with many different partners … on protecting what we can along the river corridor.”
There are 4o state-sensitive species, 12 federally-listed birds and six native species of fish that rely on the Virgin River, according to The Nature Conservancy’s website.
Four of the six at-risk native fish that rely on the river live in the corridor near the Sheep Bridge, including the Virgin spinedace, flannelmouth sucker, desert sucker and speckled dace, St. George News previously reported. Birds, such as the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher and Wilson’s warbler also nest, winter and migrate in the riparian zone.
The Nature Conservancy is collaborating with multiple partners to protect the wildlife that relies on the Virgin River, forming a group called the Virgin River Program, York said. Partners include the BLM, the U.S. Forest Service, Zion National Park, Washington County Water Conservancy District, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and others.
Accessing the JEM Trail
While the unauthorized trailhead at the preserve is closed, bikers can still access the JEM Trail, York said, adding that one such access point, the Sheep Bridge trailhead, found 2 miles south on Sheep Bridge Road, offers signage, trail maps, restroom facilities and a parking lot.
“That really makes sense for where anyone should start the JEM Trail experience,” she said.
The JEM Trail also can be accessed from the Hurricane Cliff trailhead on state Route 59 and Sheep Bridge Road or approximately 2 miles southeast of there on SR 59 to the Upper JEM trailhead, according to the release.
A portion of the JEM Trail that crosses the Sheep Bridge Nature Preserve will remain accessible to mountain bikers but has been redesignated as a directional trail, according to The Nature Conservancy.
Riders will travel downhill and return via the Carne Asada Trail, which is also directional and will provide a loop to return users to BLM land.
The Sheep Bridge Nature Preserve
The Nature Conservancy plans to create a system of walking trails in the preserve, and having bikers access the trail on BLM land is part of that initiative, the release states, adding that it was “designed to help everyone enjoy the area’s natural wonders while also minimizing impacts to sensitive and biologically rich plant and animal habitat along the river corridor.”
Additionally, the preserve will also feature simple visitor facilities, a parking lot and educational signage, York said.
“We’re looking at spring 2023 for a finalization of our new visitor trails and signage at the Sheep Bridge Nature Preserve,” she said in the release. “We’re thrilled to be working with many local partners and neighbors to ensure this special place remains vibrant and healthy for both nature and people.”
To learn more about the JEM Trail and access maps to plan potential hiking or biking loops, visit the BLM’s website. To learn more about the Sheep Bridge Nature Preserve and the Virgin River Corridor, click here.
Photo Gallery
The Virgin River as seen from the Sheep Bridge Nature Preserve, Virgin, Utah, date not specified | Photo Courtesy of Stuart Ruckman/The Nature Conservancy, St. George News A mountain biker navigates the JEM Trail, Virgin, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Gary Leverett/The Nature Conservancy, St. George News The Virgin River flows near Sheep Bridge, Virgin, Utah, Jan. 10, 2023 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News The Sheep Bridge, Virgin, Utah, Jan. 10, 2023 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News The Sheep Bridge Trailhead, Virgin, Utah, Jan. 10, 2023 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News The view from the Sheep Bridge Trailhead, Virgin, Utah, Jan. 10, 2023 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News The view from the Sheep Bridge Trailhead, Virgin, Utah, Jan. 10, 2023 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News A map showing the locations of the Sheep Bridge Trailhead and the JEM Trail | Image courtesy of Google Maps, St. George News The Virgin River as seen from Sheep Bridge, Virgin, Utah, Jan. 10, 2023 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News The Virgin River as seen from Sheep Bridge, Virgin, Utah, Jan. 10, 2023 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News The Virgin River as seen from Sheep Bridge, Virgin, Utah, Jan. 10, 2023 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News
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