Advocacy: Preserving Utah’s Climbing Legacy at the Mountain West Trails Conference

On May 20, 2026, the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance joined the Utah State Historic Preservation Office at the Mountain West Trails Conference in Rock Springs, Wyoming to present on an emerging idea in outdoor recreation: when climbing landscapes become cultural heritage.

The presentation explored how stewardship, recreation infrastructure, climbing history, and storytelling all work together to protect Utah’s climbing landscapes — particularly in lower Little Cottonwood Canyon.

SLCA shared how projects like the Alpenbock Loop help improve sustainable access while protecting sensitive canyon terrain. Trail counter data showed approximately 30,000 trail uses on the Alpenbock Loop in 2024 alone.

The session also highlighted the Little Cottonwood Canyon Climbing Area Historic District, which became the nation’s first recreational climbing area listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024. Working alongside SHPO, the U.S. Forest Service, and the local climbing community, SLCA helped support recognition of the climbing history and legacy of the Alpenbock Club and early Wasatch climbing culture.

Additional topics included professional trail stewardship, fixed-anchor maintenance, historic preservation, and SLCA’s upcoming short film Alpenbock, which documents the history and enduring legacy of climbing in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Thank you to the Mountain West Trails Conference for hosting the conversation and to everyone working to preserve Utah’s climbing landscapes for future generations.