Grit Mill Demolition Starts

GRIT MILL STABILIZATION AND RE-VEGETATION PROJECT                                             Salt Lake City, Utah, October 15, 2014 - The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest will begin implementation of Stage 1 of the Grit Mill and Climbing Master Plan. The plan consists of removal of the Grit Mill, parking area and trailhead development, climbing access trail development, and roadside parking management. Removal of the existing Grit Mill structures and stabilization and re-vegetation of the area will begin on October 15, 2014.

The Grit Mill site is a predominant feature at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon and serves as a gateway to the canyon, though in recent years has become degraded by continual graffiti. The Grit Mill site, including the structures, has not been used for years. The site is currently closed to public use through a Forest Service Supervisor’s Order due to onsite public safety hazards.

The Grit Mill and Climbing Plan is being implemented through the Wasatch Legacy Project. Wasatch Legacy Project partners and other local partners are supporting the implementation of Stage 1 of the plan and include the National Forest Foundation, Salt Lake Climbers Alliance, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah Department of Transportation, Unified Police Department, Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Alta Ski Resort, Morgan Asphalt, Miller Paving, TID Demolition, Brighton, Solitude, and Layton Construction.

Future stages of the development include:

• Trail projects may begin once all mitigation measures are in place. Closure of non-sustainable routes may begin immediately
• The parking area and trailhead and highway design features will need funding before work on the parking area and trailhead is initiated.
• Once construction of the parking area and trailhead is completed, the Forest Service will request parking along SR 210 near the project area be eliminated.