Community Garbage Cleanup At Little Cottonwood Trailheads

On Friday, May 23rd, Save Our Canyons and community volunteers spent a few hours doing a spring cleaning of all the major trailheads in Little Cottonwood Canyon including: LCC Park and Ride, Temple Quarry Trailhead, Grit Mill Trailhead, and White Pine Trailhead. Each with respective amounts of garbage and debris from the winter season.

Over two hours, 8 community volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Removing all garbage found.

A Clean Start to the Season

Each of these access points sees a tremendous amount of use throughout the year, especially during the winter months, when visitors flock to the Wasatch for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. With the snowmelt comes the reveal: litter and debris that have accumulated or been buried during the colder months now emerge, needing attention before the busy summer season.

Over the course of two hours, eight community members showed up ready to work. Gloves on, garbage bags in hand, they combed through parking lots, trailside, and wooded edges to remove every bit of litter they could find.

While much of what we collected was the usual assortment: candy wrappers, cans, and forgotten gear—there were a few surprises as well. One of the largest items found was a broken dresser inexplicably left at one of the trailheads. Our team broke it down and made sure it was properly removed from the site, preventing it from becoming a long-term eyesore or hazard to wildlife.

To our surprise and appreciation, the trailheads had far less garbage than the previous two seasons. We only collected around 80lbs aside from the dresser between all the trailheads.

Thank You!

Little Cottonwood Canyon isn’t just a scenic getaway, it’s a vital watershed and a cherished recreational resource for Utahns and visitors alike. Cleanups like this are crucial acts of stewardship, helping to maintain the health, safety, and beauty of these wild places. As always, we’re proud to support the U.S. Forest Service, Public Utilities, and the Wasatch Mountains, and remain committed to offering hands-on opportunities for you to get involved. Thank you to the Central Wasatch Commission and the Wasatch Mountain Club for helping fund this work.

Interested in joining our next project? Visit https://saveourcanyons.org/get-involved/wilderness-stewardship-project to learn more about upcoming volunteer days.

Learning on the Land: 5th Graders from Quail Hollow Explore Bells Canyon Reservoir

During the late afternoon on May 16th, Save Our Canyons had the joy of leading a group of curious and energetic 5th graders from Quail Hollow Elementary on an educational hike to the lower Bells Canyon Reservoir. As part of our SOCkids outdoor education program, this outing provided students with a guided opportunity to connect with the Wasatch, learn basic trail etiquette, and deepen their understanding of local ecology and stewardship.

Bells Canyon, nestled at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, offers a perfect introduction to the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the Wasatch Front. The students were eager and enthusiastic—many experiencing the trail for the first time.

A Day of Exploration

During the hike, Save Our Canyons staff introduced students to the basics of responsible recreation, pointing out key elements of trail etiquette like stepping aside for uphill hikers, staying on marked paths, and packing out what you pack in. Along the way, we paused to observe native plants, listen for birdsong, and reflect on how these places serve as both habitat and classroom.

Each student received a custom SOCkids goodie packet filled with tools for discovery and creativity:

• A pocket-sized booklet featuring beginner-friendly hikes in the Wasatch
• An illustrated field guide to native plants and wildlife
• A nature mindfulness page with reflective questions for the trail
• A locally-designed coloring postcard featuring Wasatch art
• A Leave No Trace infographic bookmark outlining the 7 principles
• And, of course, a Save Our Canyons sticker to take home

Connecting Kids with the Canyons

The SOCkids program is rooted in the belief that fostering a love for the Wasatch starts with early, positive experiences in nature. By combining fun, hands-on activities with environmental education, we aim to inspire the next generation of stewards.

We’re grateful to the teachers and parents at Quail Hollow Elementary for trusting us with their students and to the kids for their curiosity, questions, and laughter on the trail.

If your school is interested in an education hike or classroom visit, reach out to learn more about bringing SOCkids to your community.

Spring Cleaning In Millcreek: Volunteer Day with Select Health at Box Elder & Church Fork Campgrounds

On Friday, May 16th Save Our Canyons joined forces with the Salt Lake Ranger District and a volunteer team from Select Health Insurance to kick off a cleanup effort across Millcreek Canyon’s most popular sites. As part of our 2025 Wasatch Stewardship Program, we set our sights on readying the South, Main, and North Box Elder, as well as Church Fork Campgrounds, for the upcoming summer season.

Over three hours, sixteen Select Health employees rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Hauling out debris, clearing fire pits and grills, and collecting trash scattered throughout the campground floor. These early-season efforts play a critical role in helping the Forest Service maintain clean and safe access to public lands while reducing wildfire risks and human impacts on the watershed.

A Clean Start to the Season

Millcreek Canyon sees thousands of visitors each year, especially as temperatures warm and trails thaw. Campgrounds like Box Elder and Church Fork are among the most beloved areas for family picnics, weekend trips, and quiet escapes into the Wasatch. But after a long winter, these sites are often left with downed branches, unburned trash, and overused amenities.

The work done during this cleanup was simple but essential. Fire rings were cleared and reset. Grills were scrubbed of old ash and food remnants. Trash, both large and small was removed, helping to restore these sites to a condition where families and visitors can safely enjoy them.

Stewardship in Action

This project highlights what’s possible when public agencies, nonprofits, and local businesses work together to care for shared public lands. We’re grateful to the Salt Lake Ranger District for their partnership and to the team at Select Health for showing up with energy and enthusiasm.

As always, we’re proud to support the U.S. Forest Service in their ongoing stewardship of the Wasatch and remain committed to offering hands-on opportunities for our community to get involved. Along with the Central Wasatch Commission and the Wasatch Mountain Club for helping fund this work.

Interested in joining our next project? Visit https://saveourcanyons.org/get-involved/wilderness-stewardship-project to learn more about upcoming volunteer days.

Garlic Mustard Removal In Quail Hollow

On May 9th, community volunteers teamed up with Salt Lake City Public Utilities to tackle invasive Garlic Mustard in Quail Hollow.

Event Recap: Volunteers gathered early at the site, ready to take on the steep hillsides between the Cottonwood Canyons. Over the course of a few hours, teams spread out across the area, focusing their efforts on dense patches and disturbed zones. With dedication and care, they removed Garlic Mustard by the root—helping prevent future germination and protect native plant communities.

A huge thank you to everyone who showed up, dug in, and spent their Friday giving back to the Wasatch. Your efforts directly support healthier ecosystems and the resilience of our cherished open spaces.

What’s Next: Keep your gloves handy! We’re planning more stewardship events throughout the season. Together, we can continue to defend the Wasatch and preserve the wild character of our canyons and foothills.

Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to Sam at , or sign up for the next event here!

Purge the Spurge!

On Thursday, May 8th, 2025 We linked up with Salt Lake Public utilities and an few volunteers for a Myrtle Spurge Weed Pull at the Big Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant. This location requires manual removal of Myrtle Spurge due to its proximity to a major water source for the Salt Lake Valley. 

Event Recap:

Volunteers gathered early at the filtration plant, ready to tackle the aggressive spread of Myrtle Spurge. A noxious weed known for outcompeting native plants and posing risks to people and pets due to its toxic sap. After signing waivers and receiving a brief safety overview (gloves are a must for this one!), we distributed tools and got to work.

Groups fanned out across the area, focusing on high-density patches and disturbed zones where Myrtle Spurge has taken hold. Teams identified, dug up, and bagged the plants, ensuring complete root removal to prevent regrowth.

The Challenge and the Victory:

Despite hot temperatures, the energy remained high. In just a few hours, we managed to remove a staggering, 1000+ pounds of Myrtle Spurge from the landscape. 

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who came out, dug in, and made this event possible. Your effort directly supports healthier ecosystems and stronger native plant communities in our cherished open spaces.

What’s Next:

Keep your gloves handy! We’re planning more stewardship events throughout the season. Together, we can continue to defend the Wasatch and protect the wild character of our canyons and foothills.

For any questions or to get involved in upcoming events, reach out to Sam at , or sign up for the next event here!

Special thanks to the Central Wasatch Commission for supporting our grassroots advocacy, conservation, and stewardship programs.

This past weekend, we gathered with our passionate community for an unforgettable evening dedicated to protecting the Wasatch Range. Our latest fundraising event was a resounding success, bringing together advocates, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation supporters for a night of celebration and purpose.

THANK YOU!

• A huge shoutout to Beehive Distilling for their work in helping put this launch party together. 10% of their limited release, local botanical gin, goes to support Save Our Canyons.
• Thank you to Ky and the Jellies for setting the vibe with their incredible music all night long. They were a hit! 
• Thank you to Chimichurri Grill for bringing INCREDIBLE food for folks to enjoy. If you didn't get a chance to try their food. Give them a follow on social media and MAKE IT HAPPEN. Incredible!
• Thank you to Anna Leigh Moore and all the artists for setting up a station, creating a wonderful atmosphere, and sharing your work with us all. Anna was kind enough to donate a huge painting for the event where attendees added their favorite memories in the Wasatch Mountains. Check it out in the image gallery below!
• Thank you to the generous donors who contributed to the opportunity drawing. Your support is invaluable and we greatly appreciate it!

A final thank you to everyone in the community who donated and came out for the evening! You helped us raise over $6000 that goes directly toward protecting the Wasatch Mountains. Your support goes a long way in our efforts to keep this special place beautiful and wild.

If you missed the event but still want to contribute, donations are always welcome HERE. You can also find other events HERE.

Love

Save Our Canyons Staff

As we wrap up the 2024 summer season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined Save Our Canyons in our Wasatch Stewardship Projects to give back and protect the beauty and wildness of the Wasatch Mountains. Here’s a look back at what we achieved together this summer: 

Millcreek Campground Service (September 14): Save Our Canyons partnered with Archer Mechanical and the Salt Lake Ranger District for a successful cleanup at Desolation Campground. Volunteers gathered early to receive safety instructions before setting out to collect garbage and clear debris from concrete fire pits. This collaborative effort made the campground cleaner and more enjoyable for future visitors, showcasing the importance of community-driven stewardship in maintaining public lands.

Millcreek Trailwork (July 24): The Millcreek Trailwork event brought Service Learning Camp volunteers from Iowa and the Salt Lake Ranger District to Millcreek Canyon. Participants worked on clearing overgrown vegetation along the Red Pine Road and Little Water Trail, maintaining approximately 1 mile of trail. The students learned about the importance of trail upkeep and gained hands-on experience in conservation, making it an educational and rewarding experience in the heart of the Wasatch.

Killyon’s Canyon Garlic Mustard Pull (June 21): Focused on removing invasive species, this event had volunteers tackling garlic mustard in collaboration with Salt Lake County and Utah Open Lands. Despite a storm shortening the event, volunteers managed to remove around 200 pounds of the invasive plant, helping to restore the area’s native ecosystem. The event showed the importance of invasive species management to protect local flora and maintain ecological balance.

Millcreek Campground Service and Structure Removal (May 24): Volunteers from Patagonia SLC joined Save Our Canyons and the Salt Lake Ranger District to restore Millcreek Canyon. The group removed illegal structures, cleared fallen debris from trails, and collected litter, making the area more accessible and cleaner for summer activities. 

SOC Kids Hike (May 18): This educational outdoor experience was for 5th-grade students from Canyons School District, who joined Save Our Canyons on a guided hike along Rattlesnake Gulch Trail. Alongside enjoying scenic views, students learned about wildlife, and Leave No Trace principles, and took part in a litter cleanup. This event combined outdoor learning with environmental stewardship, leaving the students with a stronger connection to their local habitats.

Little Cottonwood Canyon Cleanup (May 1): Save Our Canyons partnered with KUHL for a Little Cottonwood Canyon Cleanup, where volunteers were assigned to four major trailheads, including Bell’s Canyon, Little Cottonwood Park and Ride, Grit-Mill, and Red/White Pine Trailhead. Volunteers collected 100 pounds of garbage, contributing to a cleaner environment and setting a strong example of corporate partnership in environmental conservation.

Memory Grove/City Creek Cleanup (April 22): Marking the first event of the season, volunteers from the Black Diamond staff gathered to remove litter accumulated over winter, collecting around 350 pounds of garbage from this popular urban area. The event demonstrated the impact of collective community action on preserving local parks and natural spaces, as well as the longstanding support of partners like Black Diamond in these initiatives.

2024 Wasatch Stewardship Program Totals:

• We worked with 120 volunteers, including an average of 15 individuals per project during our Wilderness Stewardship Projects
• During the 6 cleanup events we had this season, we collected a total of 790lb of garbage
• During the 1 weed pull event we had this season we collected a total of 200lb of invasive Garlic Mustard
• Throughout the season, we tracked 2800 hours of in-kind volunteer hours.

Save Our Canyons wants to say thank you to everyone who helped during our Stewardship season along with the Central Wasatch Commission and the Wasatch Mountain Club for helping fund our programs. - Stay tuned for the 2025 Wasatch Stewardship Program!

During the 2024 season, Save Our Canyons continued its partnership with the Salt Lake Ranger District to monitor recreation sites across the Wasatch Wilderness areas, including the Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, and Lone Peak wilderness areas. Next year we’ll begin data collection in the Deseret Wilderness Area.

Compared to last season, in 2024 we have increased our capacity on the project exponentially. a new edition to the Recreation Site Monitoring Program for 2024 was the implementation of group monitoring sessions. We wanted to create a unique and inclusive space for people looking to give back to the Wasatch through conservation and stewardship. These group sessions have given people the chance to meet new faces in the community and get to explore what the Wasatch has to offer.

2024 Wilderness Recreation Site Monitoring Program Totals:

• Conducted 6 training sessions to prepare volunteers for accurate and effective data collection.
• Throughout the season, we tracked 682 in-kind volunteer hours
• Cataloged and digitized over 300 film slides, with many dating back to 1987
• More than 150 Recreation Sites Recorded in 2024

With an end goal to cover 95% of these sites, we're thrilled to report that we're ahead of schedule and on track to complete the project by the end of 2025.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers—you make this work possible! We also extend our gratitude to the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance for funding this project over the past two years. Your support has been instrumental in enabling us to gather this data.

If you’re interested in getting involved in this program for 2025, please reach out to Sam at

On Wednesday, October 23rd, nonprofit partners—Heal Utah, Save Parleys, Sierra Club, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, and Save Our Canyons—came together to host an educational town hall, aiming to inform the community about the serious concerns surrounding the proposed mining operation in Central Parleys Canyon.

The proposed mine poses a range of threats, from toxic sediment release and excessive water usage needed to control dust pollution, to the constant flow of diesel vehicles emitting substantial diesel exhaust releasing harmful particulates and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to poor air quality. Additionally, the mining operation would displace native wildlife from critical habitats and degrade potential wilderness areas. This event highlighted these issues, urging community opposition to protect the central Wasatch's environmental integrity.

The turnout to this panel was exceptional. We are so grateful to YOU. Our community for taking the time to learn about these issues. A special thanks goes out to Patagonia SLC for hosting us and supporting our mission.

On Saturday, October 19th, Save Our Canyons gathered with community members, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, and Wasatch Lover alike for the 20th Annual Lone Peak Celebration—a vibrant event dedicated to celebrating the Wasatch Range and the shared commitment to protecting their Beauty and Wildness. Together, through ticket sales, a one-of-a-kind silent auction, and community support, we raised an incredible $31,000 profit that will go directly toward Save Our Canyons campaigns. 

The event kicked off with a set from @Lapdogband who helped to set the tone for the evening. Save Our Canyons, Executive Director, Spencer, delivered a compelling speech on efforts to address the issues we face in the Wasatch and our progress in fighting them to protect these precious landscapes from overdevelopment. The mountains are more than just a backdrop; they are a source of inspiration, peace, and strength. 

The 20th Annual Lone Peak Celebration was a testament to the power of community action, bringing people together to protect and honor our public lands. Special thanks go out to our partners, local businesses, and generous sponsors who made this unforgettable night possible. The strength and unity we share for the Wasatch Mountains continue to inspire all of us.

A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors and silent auction donors:

KUHL, The Hemingway Foundation, KRCL, RoHa Brewing Project, Beehive Distilling, Kymit, Kristen Frailey, Gregory Mountain Products, Coalatree, Party Shirt International, Ken Sanders Rare Books, Petzel, Black Diamond, Chris Monte, Cascade Physical Therapy, LLC, Stio, Cotopaxi, Coalatree, Lone Pine Gear Exchange, Haven Tents, Alpine Earthworks Pottery, James “Gus” McCloskey, Anna Leigh Moore, Natural History Museum Utah, Anna Bugbee Studio, Evi Hui, Fred Staff, Andy and Laura Briefer, Jenny Wolff, Caryl A. Brown, and Lapdog.

If you missed this year’s Lone Peak Celebration, you can still support Save Our Canyons’ mission by making a donation HERE. Together, we can accomplish anything to protect and SAVE OUR CANYONS!