In the last several years, there has been an increase in people enjoying the Little Cottonwood Trail. From hikers to bird watchers, this area is loved by many. And there’s no substitute for nature. Together, we can protect it from impacts like overuse, packing out trash, removing illegal fire rings, and cleaning graffiti off the granite walls. Last Friday, Save Our Canyons and a wonderful group of volunteers worked alongside the Salt Lake Ranger District to deconstruct illegal fire rings, report graffiti, and generally clean up the area to assist the Forest Service in increasing accessibility.
The morning weather looked gloomy, with rain clouds looming overhead, but the enthusiasm and dedication were there. The crew got to work in two groups, seeking mapped locations of Illegal structures in the area. After deconstructing the marked fire rings, we continued to search the area for additional rings. By noon, we had completed all the marked structures and a similar amount of unmarked structures.
This event was a testament to the power of collaboration and grassroots conservation efforts. Next time you lace up your hiking boots and venture into the Wasatch or anywhere else, remember that it's up to all of us to be stewards of these spaces. Together, we can ensure they remain wild, beautiful, and accessible.
