Weigh in on future of trails in Millcreek, Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood Canyons

Salt Lake City, Utah – Salt Lake County offers a variety of public lands for recreation, including places to walk, ride, climb, and ski.

“We’re all contributors here. We’re all users here, and so if we’re users, we should also make it part of our duty to take care of it,” said Dwight Curry. “You can get away from people very quickly if you want to, and so I love that. I love the fact that there’s trails for everybody.”

However, there is some space for development, he stated.

“As a biker, I’m concerned because some of the new downhill trends are causing the trails to become dangerous for small kids,” said Curry.

A Tri-Canyons Trails Plan was created by the Forest Service for the first time for Millcreek Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Utahns can currently provide feedback on changes they would like to see.

“We all know recreation’s increasing, it’s getting more popular,” said Chelsea Phillippe, Visitor Management Program Manager for the Salt Lake Ranger District. “And so we want to meet that where it is and make sure we offer those opportunities, but as a land manager, make sure we’re protecting the ecosystem.”

The Forest Service has placed QR codes at a couple of the main trailheads, which recreationists can scan to complete the survey. You can choose which sections of the plan to remark on; you are not required to fill out the entire form.

“You can click into a map and look at the trailhead infrastructure we’re proposing and comment big picture or comment on each trailhead,” said Phillippe. “You can do the same, the trail network. There’s a handful of recreation strategies to read through.”

More paths should be built, according to some recreationists.

“It would be nice to have a trail that runs all the way along the ridge line from the Pipeline Overlook all the way to Elbow Fork because that’s a beautiful view up there, and right now it’s kind of a bootleg trail, but it would be nice that if they’re going to build any new trails, to do that,” said Curry.

Some advocate for increased signage reminding people to pick up after their pets.

“Just encouraging dog owners to take ownership of their dog’s poop and carry it out,” said Elijah McBridge. “Making sure that you don’t leave anything behind so that when we’re out there, we’re not seeing things that look like trash when we should be soaking in nature.”

The Tri-Canyons Trails Draft Plan is open for comments through the end of May.