Elected officials, community leaders and concerned citizens from across the Wasatch Front gathered on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at GK Gilbert Geologic View Park to address UDOTs Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) transportation proposals and combat a large misinformation campaign attempting to gain public support for an ineffective gondola concept.

Government officials spoke at this event including mayors and city council members from multiple Wasatch Front cities, as well as the director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities. Additionally, community leaders representing diverse interests also spoke to share viewpoints on the economy, environment, recreation, students (education) and voter groups representing minority groups as well.

These diverse groups have come together because of a shared value for LCC, and common goals to improve canyon transportation, while not ruining LCC itself. These community leaders came together to help raise awareness of less expensive and more effective LCC transportation solutions – and to correct the mis-leading and inaccurate information that has been promoted to Utahns about the gondola since April 2022.

Climbers will be one of the most impacted user groups from UDOT’s gondola and additional lane proposals. These options are recreationally impactful and environmentally destructive. Not only would they destroy climbing resources forever, but they would negatively impair the climbing experience and disrupt the natural character of this iconic canyon forever.

Climbing is a historical use of the canyon dating back from the 1960s and is culturally significant. This area is deeply embedded in the local history of Utah, and connects the recreational use of Utah’s public lands to the larger climbing movement of the twentieth century.

The gondola has two destinations – Snowbird and Alta – and would bypass all climbing and hiking in the lower LCC. This is not an equitable solution, nor is it fiscally responsible.

The SLCA supports one of UDOT’s proposals for a low impact, fiscally responsible transportation solution that serves all canyon users year-round through expanded transit in the form of longer-range electric buses (destined for upper Canyon and ski areas) and shorter-range shuttles (for dispersed recreators throughout the Canyon). This would be coupled with tolling and other traffic mitigation strategies. Such a system can be implemented on a gradual as needed basis saving taxpayers monies.

You can find more information about how UDOTs proposals will impact climbing resources at here along with an advocacy toolkit that will help you connect with your Utah Representatives.

Let’s protect the climbing opportunity and the beautiful view shed of LCC and provide transit access for all!