Joe's Valley Adopt A Crag Re-cap

October 24th, 2015On October 23rd the Joe's Valley Coalition met to discuss the future of Joe's Valley once again. In attendance were representatives from the SLCA and the town of Castle Dale, Access Fund, BLM, Forest Service, local business owners, Steven Jeffries (Joe's guide book author) Adriana Nunez (Joe's Valley Festival Coordinator).

The following day, 40 volunteers arrived to do environmental stewardship work and show support for the SLCA's efforts to protect access to climbing in Joe's Valley. Between 9am and 2pm, the volunteers, USFS, and crew leads worked tirelessly to enhance and preserve the areas around Joes Valley.

During the Adopt a Crag... - Trails were identified with cairns to Man size and Boy size areas. - Trash was picked up along with any dead animals along both Left and Right Fork Canyons. - Fire pits were cleaned out or dispersed of in Right Fork Canyon. - The walkway and landings were reinforced at the Warm-Up Boulder.

Overall the day was a great success with many volunteers of varying ages and abilities with the common goal of improving the landscape of Joe’s Valley. The relationship between land agencies and the climbers was reinforced by the shoulder to shoulder work. The ongoing relationship between the BLM, the forest service, private landowners, and climbers is just like the landscapes that we enjoy in Joes Valley...... always changing and yet beautiful.

Thanks to the Access Fund for the ongoing support, The Food Ranch Store for the much needed coffee and donuts, Moab Brewery for the celebratory beers, and all of SLCA's supporters who make Adopt a Crags possible.

By: Jimmy Keithley, SLCA Board Member