Timpanogos post is 'treat' for director

TIMPANOGOS CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT — Being surrounded by flowing water, whispering trees and a magnificent mountain backdrop could be an appealing office atmosphere to many people — especially Denis Davis.

In fact, the looks of American Fork Canyon were all it took to move Davis from his home in Colorado to Utah, where he became the new superintendent of the Timpanogos Cave National Monument on April 1.

"I have the river and the forest and the cliffs right outside my office window," Davis said at a celebratory luncheon hosted in his honor on Friday. "It's really a treat."

Davis, who has worked for the National Park Service for 31 years, replaced former superintendent Kit T. Mullen, who oversaw the park for the past eight years.

Previously, Davis has worked as chief of administration and chief of maintenance at the Glen Canyon National Recreation area, superintendent at Cumberland Island National Seashore and assistant superintendent at Glacier National Park. But Davis says this might be his best assignment yet.

"I think this is probably going to be the funnest assignment I've had so far," Davis said. "This is a park that is loved by the local community and we're working well with the U.S. Forest Service. ... I'm glad to be here. I love the location and I love Utah."

Last year, the monument drew 134,000 visitors to its doors. Some 78,000 of those visitors who took the 1.5-mile hike to Timpanogos Cave actually took an additional tour through the caves.

The monument — which opened Saturday and will remain open until the fall — is so popular that Chief Ranger Mike Gosse recommends that weekend visitors call ahead and make a reservation. Saturdays and holidays can be sold out by 2 p.m., Gosse said.

"I think (the monument) is really popular because once you enter American Fork Canyon, you feel like you're leaving the city behind," Gosse said. "It gives people a chance to enjoy some solitude. They can enjoy nature and reconnect with the resources that are in their backyard."

Davis said one of the biggest projects he will tackle while at the monument will be to rebuild a new ranger station at the mouth of the canyon. Currently, the park's equipment is stored in the canyon and is at risk for being damaged by rockslides and avalanches. The National Park Service will work with the U.S. Forest Service to rebuild the station, Davis said.

No matter what else Davis does while working at the monument, he says he's determined to enjoy it.

"Everyone should have fun on their jobs," Davis told his new employees on Friday. "If they're not, they're not doing it right."

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