2025 Wasatch Stewardship Program – Mueller Park Trail Maintenance With Service Learning Camps
On a bright July morning, Save Our Canyons went north to Mueller Park Trail for our second project in partnership with the Service Learning Camp group from Wisconsin—this time joined by the hard-working Trails and Wilderness Crew from the Salt Lake Ranger District. With shovels, picks, and rock slings in hand, we kicked off the day with a quick safety rundown before hitting the trail.
Once we reached the worksite, the team split into two focused crews, each taking on a vital trail restoration task.
Crew One took on the challenge of an eroded switchback that had been widened by foot traffic and weather. Over three hours, they hauled hefty rocks and downed logs to build a sturdy retaining wall and close off worn-in shortcuts around the corner to reinforce the curve and guide hikers to stay on the intended path. The new wall not only protects the trail from further erosion but also makes the route safer and more sustainable for years to come.
Crew Two continued up the trail, tackling a drainage issue beneath a small wooden footbridge. With picks and shovels, they dug out over a foot of compacted soil to expose a buried waterway. Carefully laying stones in a U-shaped pattern, they rebuilt the drainage channel to allow water to flow freely—preventing pooling and washout that could damage the bridge and trail over time.
Check out the image gallery below to see some impressive before-and-after shots of the day’s work. These projects are proof that hands-on stewardship goes a long way in protecting our trails and wild places!
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