Help desk assists hikers, campers

With hot summer conditions hitting the Wasatch Front, most people want to head for the hills where they'll find cooler temperatures and some free fishing. This Saturday is free fishing day, and you can bet it'll make for a crowded day in the canyons.

If you're looking to beat the heat and return to nature but have a few questions, check out the Public Lands Information Center located inside the REI store on 3285 E. 3300 South. Patrick Nelson of the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation runs this one-of-a-kind help desk in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service and four canyon ski resorts.

"If they want to make a camping reservation, we can help them do that," Nelson said. "If they've never been backpacking before, we can help them with routes and regulations. It's really the one-stop-shop for outdoor recreation."

You can contact the Public Lands Information Center by phone at 801-466-6411 or check out the Web site at www.cottonwoodcanyons.org.

The information center works with the forest service to provide the public with the best fishing locations, important road closures, updated trail conditions and the latest rules and regulations of the tri-canyon area (Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood and Millcreek canyons). Nelson said that keeping up with the constant changes in regulations is the hardest part of the job.

"The amount of ways you can use public lands is so diverse, and it changes all the time," he said. "You really need somebody to stay on top of that."

For hikers looking to get out and stretch their legs, an easy to moderate hike is the popular Lake Blanche trail. The Big Cottonwood trail is in good shape, although snow and some muddy conditions could exist toward the end of the 3.7-mile hike.

For free fishing day, your best bet could be Big Cottonwood's Silver Lake, which should be fully stocked. Even if you don't catch a thing, it's still a beautiful setting.

"There's plenty of wildlife and wildflowers," Nelson said. "It's just a great place to take a family."

For ATV riders, the Mineral Fork area above the "S" curve in Big Cottonwood Canyon remains the only canyon area open to four-wheelers. Maps of ATV trails are in such popular demand, the information desk ran out of them.

Some areas in the tri-canyon area are still closed but will be opening soon. Albion Basin campground and Redmond campground are closed with snow. Silver Lake's visitors center is closed. Millcreek's winter gate will open July 1 and with it, the access to several trails, including Big Water Trail. The Mirror Lake Highway should open in mid-June along with Davis County's beautiful Skyline Drive above Farmington Canyon.

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E-mail: tpeterson@desnews.com