Little Cottonwood Canyon 

See the SLCA page

Salt Lake Climbers,

The SLCA, in partnership with the Salt Lake Ranger District (SLRD) of the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Wasatch Legacy Project, has reached a major milestone with the release of the scoping notice for the Grit Mill and Climbing Master Plan Project in lower Little Cottonwood Canyon. This project affects the majority of the bouldering and roped climbing on Forest Service lands north of State Highway 210 between the Little Cottonwood Park and Ride lot and the Grit Mill.

The SLCA’s vision for the outcome of this project is the development of sustainable access to the crags and boulders that takes into account the needs for centralized, transit-friendly trail-heads, traffic safety, and watershed protection. We support the removal of the Grit Mill and the rehabilitation of the surrounding area as it has become an attractive nuisance and target for vandalism.
Please refer to the scoping notice for more details of the draft proposed action.

For the past decade, the SLCA has been, and will continue to be a proponent in the planning and implementation of this project on behalf of climbers, but we need your help. During this initial scoping period, from now until June 14th, it is important that YOU, as a member of the climbing community, contribute scoping comments to the USFS. They are looking to the public to help shape the proposed action and additional alternatives for analysis as part of an Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It is important to understand that this is step one in a process that will include another 30-day scoping period later this summer where a preferred action will be proposed.

The SLCA will be posting our comments to the Forest Service during this scoping period which you can use to help formulate your own responses. In the meantime, please let us know your thoughts and opinions on the proposed action. After all, the SLCA is here to represent the climbing community. Please send comments to SLCA Execuitive Director, Julia Geisler, or to the USFS. The SLCA woud be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Come out to our 4th Annual Black Diamond Sponsored Fundraiser May 30th 6-10pm to give comment as well. Thank you.

Grit Mill Scoping Notice Information Submitted By: Perin Blanchard on May 20, 2013

Little Cottonwood is an infamous area with a rich history of great traditional climbs, bouldering, and superb backcountry skiing. The rock is a very solid granite variation and offers many excellent cam and nut placements. Most routes have bolted belays, a very nice luxury, and all offer amazing climbing in equally amazing settings. Boulering is definitely not to be over looked, the canyon contains numerous routes ranging from V0 to V13. There are many bouldering spots, so one can find solitude and most offer extremely short approaches. No matter what type of climbing you are looking to do, Little Cottonwood Canyon will offer some of the best routes in wonderful and surreal settings.

Snowbird has proposed to build a roller coaster in Little Cottonwood Canyon, on the lower south face of Mt. Superior:

www.deseretnews.com/article/705364186/Snowbird-resort-seeks->>>


I strongly oppose Snowbird's plans to build a roller coaster on the lower south face of Mt. Superior, across from and over Little Cottonwood Canyon Road.

Snowbird claims the proposed site is not used by hikers or backcountry skiers. This is not accurate. The area is on the southwest face of Mt. Superior, directly adjacent its summer trailhead/winter access points. This area is one of the most popular and treasured mountaineering, hiking, and backcountry skiing areas in Utah.

Furthermore, Mt. Superior is among the most beautiful and photographed areas in Utah, and the West. In fact, the 1976 Denver Olympic Bid Committee used a photo of Mt. Superior on its official bid packet.

While the proposed roller coaster will not directly inhibit mountaineering, hiking, or skiing, it will significantly diminish these pursuits and will be an embarrassing eyesore in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Utah residents and tourists visit our canyons to play in the mountains, not on amusement-park rides.

Please contact your member of the Salt Lake County Council to urge them to oppose Snowbird's plans.

BEWARE of TICKS! My wife and I were in the lower parts of the canyon today. A few hours after we left, she discovered a tick on the back of her neck, just above her hairline. CREEPY and DANGEROUS! Ticks can carry some pretty nasty diseases, like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It's something most people don't even think about, but they can be a real hazard - especially in the spring. Every time you leave the canyon, be sure to check your skin and scalp for these nasty buggers!

Thanks! I never thought of that. What does a tick look like?

Is there any snow left on the ground at Little CottonWood Canyon ?

I'd like to do some multipitches and wondering if i can descend safely without crampons or icepick from the summit .


I am planning to be in SLC between April 20 and May 4


Thanks