But even the loss of two lives was not enough to convince residents of the need for drastic conservation measures. More cattle grazing and land abuse in the basin continued. In fact, it took a similar flood in 1936 to finally get residents' attention. No lives were lost then, but considerable property damage again occurred.

The Utah State Road Commission, Box Elder County and residents of Willard donated money to buy the privately owned Willard Basin after the 1936 flood. The land was then deeded to the Forest Service for protection.

As a result, 700 miles of terraces, trenches and fences were constructed (over a 1,500-acre space), and trees and grasses were planted from 1936 to 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

The terraces and trenches in the basin are still readily visible today.

The CCC also constructed the dirt road from Mantua to the basin.

These days, there are primitive campsites in Willard Basin. However, the outhouse of earlier years is totally gone. There are a few sources of running water, plus a small lake at the extreme south end of Willard Basin.

CCC terrace work is also visible below Ben Lomond Peak.

• Lynn Arave and Ravell Call hiked to Willard and Ben Lomond peaks on Aug. 2. They and three other companions also drove the 14 miles to Inspiration Point in a Chevy Suburban.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com