REI and CCF Work to Restore Popular Cottonwood Canyons Trail
With over 5 million visitors a year, the Tri-Canyons east of Salt Lake City receive more visitors each year than Yellowstone or Zion National Parks. Comprised of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and Mill Creek Canyon, the Tri-Canyons received even more visitors this year as recreationalists adjusted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within this backdrop, the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation announced the completion of the Mill B North Restoration Project. A three-year undertaking, this project was designed and implemented in close partnership with REI and the National Forest Foundation to increase both the accessibility and sustainability of the Mill B North Trail, one of the most highly visited trailheads within Big Cottonwood Canyon. The trail provides visitors access to a variety of activities including rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, skiing and continues to be a major access point to the Mt. Olympus Wilderness Area.
“The Mill B area is one of the busiest trailheads within the Cottonwood Canyons and has been in bad disrepair for some time now. CCF’s partnership with REI and NFF allowed us to restore this trail to a safe and sustainable condition while simultaneously increasing knowledge of proper public land use.” stated Cody Ross, CCF Stewardship Director. This three-year project would not have been possible without the amazing support from the US Forest Service, Salt Lake Ranger District, and multiple community volunteer groups whose care and effort were integral in its completion.
“The Cottonwood Canyons Foundation is REI Salt Lake City’s longest standing conservation partner. In a year where being outside is more important than ever, and even more of us are being introduced to outdoors, it has been wonderful to partner with CCF to help improve and maintain our local trails,” stated James Lindland, REI Salt Lake City Store Manager.
With the support of its partners, the CCF trail crew completed 4,630 feet of existing trail repair, built 700 feet of new trail including two new switchbacks, and installed over 40 rock stairs to replace existing wooden steps that had previously failed. In addition to trail repair, CCF worked closely with the Salt Lake Ranger District and the National Forest Foundation to design and install new signage along the first mile of the trail to assist with wayfinding, restoration, and watershed education.
“The completion of this project is a tangible representation of what can be achieved by working together with partners and members of the community to support our environment through stewardship and education,” Ross concluded. The trail has already seen increased use and will be continually maintained by the CCF trail crew and our partners on a yearly basis.
More about The National Forest Foundation.…The National Forest Foundation works on behalf of the American public to inspire personal and meaningful connections to our National Forests. By directly engaging Americans and leveraging private and public funding, the NFF leads forest conservation efforts and promotes responsible recreation. Each year the NFF restores fish and wildlife habitat, facilitates common ground, plants trees in areas affect by fires, insects and disease and improves recreational opportunities. The NFF believes our National Forests and all they offer are an American treasure and are vital to the health of our communities. Learn more at nationalforests.org.
For Immediate Release
January 20, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah
This is a Press Release on Trail Building in the Cottonwood Canyons. We can arrange for an interview with Stewardship Director Cody Ross in Big Cottonwood Canyons, if that would be helpful.
Contact:
Joanna Wheelton Campbell
801-703-7574
[email protected]
Photo credits: Cody Ross, Stewardship Director
