Issue No. 98
Download the Summer 2021 Newsletter
Recreating Responsibly at Alta
From the colorful wildflowers to a chance moose sighting, Alta is just as magical a place in the summer as it is in the winter. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in summer visitation in Alta. While we welcome all who want to enjoy the beauty of Alta, we ask that you be informed, plan ahead, be respectful to others, and respect the natural resources and wildlife in Alta.
Alta is sited on U.S. Forest Service land and is within a protected watershed. The headwaters of Little Cottonwood Canyon watershed are located in the upper Albion Basin. The watershed provides drinking water to the Salt Lake Valley, which is why dogs and swimming and/or wading in the lakes and creeks in Little Cottonwood Canyon are prohibited. Please leave the bathing suit and Fido at home!
Planning ahead and researching routes beforehand can help you avoid a bad experience due to being unprepared. Be sure to:
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and know that mountain weather can be unpredictable at times.
- Pack enough water, snacks, and clothing layers.
- Pack out any trash that you bring in.
- It is also important to respect other recreationalists by using proper trail etiquette. Uphill hikers have the right of way and bikers yield to hikers.
You can be a proponent of recreating responsibly by setting a good example. It may be tempting to wander off of official trails to capture that “perfect” photo or to pick a bouquet of beautiful wildflowers; the impacts from your individual actions may not seem like a big deal. However, the spectacular wildflowers that Alta is known for are now gone in certain areas due to repeated off-trail use resulting in compacted soil. Every footstep has an impact. Additionally, wildflowers are incredibly fragile and picking wildflowers reduces their ability to reproduce, and that bouquet will likely be wilted by the time you get home.
There are many critters that call Alta home and we are lucky to be a visitor in their home. Give wildlife space, and do not touch, get closer to, feed, or pick up wild animals. If you come across a sick or wounded animal, it is best to notify a conservation officer with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources at 801.538.4700.
Our intention is to conserve the beauty of Alta so current and future generations have the opportunity to experience this beautiful place.
"Small acts, when multiplied by milions of people, can transform the world." -Howard Zinn
Summer Stewardship Winds Down
Our summer of stewardship is winding down, and the AEC is incredibly grateful for the opportunities we have had to reconnect with the Alta community this summer season. Last summer, we were unable to hold summer events due to the COVID19 pandemic, so when this year opened up for in-person events, we jumped at the opportunity to be outside and working with our community once again.
Our focus for these events is to engage our community in land conservation here at Alta Ski Area. Oftentimes, this involves planting native vegetation in disturbed areas, mitigating invasive species, and planting tree saplings in safe places around the mountain. The result is the conservation of our natural mountain environment, and it is a collective effort between the Alta Environmental Center, our non-profit partners, and the community.
Educational opportunities for the whole family are also available a few times a month as well - monthly birding hikes with Tracy Aviary take off from Our Lady of the Snow every second Tuesday of each month. Live Bird of Prey shows are presented at the Town Park twice a month by HawkWatch
International. Although HawkWatch events have concluded for the season, monthly birding hikes will take place through November.
A final few events remain, and we encourage you to join us before the leaves begin to change, and winter begins. Due to poor air quality a few weeks ago that canceled our plans for Cleanup Day, this event has been rescheduled for September 4. On Saturday, September 18 we will have our annual Tree Planting Day, where we will spend the morning around the mountain putting over 1,000 trees into the ground. The last Community Volunteer Day of the season will be Tuesday, September 14 from 4-6 PM. Planting native vegetation followed by good old-fashioned grilling at the Town Park will be the event’s activities. If you would like to view any of these events in more detail, you can do so at here.
New Interpretive Signs on Albion Meadows Trail
A fresh view of the ecology, history, and watershed of Little Cottonwood Canyon has landed on the Lower Albion Meadows trail! There are five new interpretive signs that give our community a positive sense of place and challenge the imagination. Take the trail at your own pace, pique your curiosity, and leave with a little bit more knowledge than you came with.
Employee Conservation Day
Not a bad day at the office! Employee Conservation Day was a major success - our staff teamed up to put 800 plants in the ground and restored 300 feet of existing trails. Native seedlings were planted near the Snowpine lift and along a user-created trail under Corkscrew. Each and every one of us has a deep connection to this place, and we sure did enjoy spending the day outside with our coworkers, beautifying the place we love most. Thanks to everyone who lent a helping hand!
Upcoming Community Events
Introduction to Natural Dyes
In this workshop, Joelle Wymer of The Basil Project will teach the basic steps of natural dying with botanical and food waste materials. Attendees will dye a reusable market bag and scrunchie with dye created from avocado pits!
- September 14th | 6pm | $5 | Our Lady of the Snow
Hinckley Forum: Wildfires & the West
Wildfires in the American West are increasing in both size and severity. This year, drought conditions amid a changing climate exacerbate wildfire danger. Join panelists as they discuss the changing nature of wildfires in the West.
- September 1st | Noon-1pm | University of Utah, Carolyn and Kem Gardner Commons (GC)
Interpretive Nature Hike
Enjoy an informative lift-served guided hike around Solitude studying the flora, fauna, and natural history of Solitude. Meet by the Village pond and ride the Sunrise chairlift at 10am. for the guided hike that goes until noon. Lift ticket is required.
- September 25th | 10am-1pm | Solitude Mountain Resort
Alta Ski Area Tree Planting
Be a part of Alta’s busiest event of the season as we spend a burly day on the mountain planting up to 1,000 seedlings. These seedlings are native to Alta and grown from handpicked seed from the mountainside. We will hike to different locations throughout Alta where we will be planting seedlings where we think they are most likely to survive. Registration Required.
- September 18th | 8am-Noon | Alta Town Park
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