Weigh in on the future of Bridal Veil Falls, Provo Canyon

Whether Provo Canyon’s Bridal Veil Falls is preserved as a natural space or developed into a drug treatment center with tram access may come down to a last-minute effort by a departing Utah County commissioner. - Salt Lake Tribune

The temperatures are dropping, and as such ‘tis the season for ice climbing. Utah County is the home of one of Utah’s most notable ice climbing resources, Provo Canyon. Within the Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls is a cornerstone of Utah ice climbing history (which in turn plays a prominent role in the development of ice climbing in the greater U.S.). The experience of ice climbing at Bridal Veil is steeped in climbing history and is cherished by many. Among the earliest recorded ascents are Greg Lowe’s ascent of Bridal Veil “left” in 1971 and local climbing pioneer Jim Knight’s ascent of a climb called “White Nightmare” in 1976. The area drew prominent climbers, both locally and nationally, throughout the late 1970s and early 80s.[1] Acclaimed alpinist Jeff Lowe hosted an ice climbing seminar at Bridal Veil Falls in 1977, and local first ascensionist Les Ellison recalls climbing there dozens of times while guiding for the Timberline School of Mountaineering, noting that it was during that time that he “really fell  in love with ice climbing.”[2]

The Bridal Veil area remains a prominent climbing destination today. Nikki Smith and Andrew Burr’s Beehive Ice, the authoritative guidebook to ice climbing in Utah ice, describes it as “one of the more popular [ice climbing] zones in Utah” with a “high concentration of great [ice climbing] lines and easy access.”  Their guidebook lists 35 distinct ice climbs in the area, from classic 200-foot-tall water ice lines to difficult modern mixed dry-tool climbs (climbs in which rock is climbed using ice axes and crampons). 

The SLCA would like to see long term access maintained while protecting this natural experience. A recreation and conservation easement on this property would be one option worth exploring.

What do you think?

To Do:

  1. Email and CALL Utah County Commissioners about your (ice climbing) experiences and vision for the falls

    commissionclerk@utahcounty.gov 

    801-851-8111

    Commissioner Lee - williaml@utahcounty.gov

    Commissioner Ainge- tainge@gmail.com

    Commissioner Ivie- nathani@utahcounty.gov

    Incoming Commissioner Sakievich- tomsakievich@gmail.com

  2. Join the PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL Regular Meeting Agenda and give public comment

    5:30 PM, Tuesday, December 01, 2020

    More info on how to give public comment: https://documents.provo.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=1949&doctype=1

  3. Zoom into the public hearing to advocate for future access and stewardship

    3:00 PM. December 9th, 2020

    zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/9938818466

Or call (346) 248-7799 or (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 993 881 8466. Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes per individual unless otherwise approved by the Board. Please state your name at the beginning of the comment. Please no foul or abusive language.*

*If a member of the public is unable to provide comment electronically then they may contact the commission clerk to submit written comments for the record by emailing commissionclerk@utahcounty.gov or by calling 801-851-8111*

Photos above by Howie Garber

Julia Geisler