Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-22

adapted in every way to the wants OF
the summer camper. All OF the best
portions OF this range north of Provo
canyon are embraced in the WaSatch
| national forest and patrolled by the
! rangers of Uncle Sam. The object OF
the forest service Is not TO keep from
the people any such great utility as the
| canyons afford. but to assist and in
struct them In its proper and lawful
| use
| 1t is estimated that 1900 people DIT
least take recreation at one time or
another each year In the canyons on
the Wasatch forest. from City Creek TO
American Fork inclusive. Some go for
a single day, others for camping trips
varying from three days to month
A number of business men go up to
camp or stay at tho resorts from Sat-
urday night until Monday morning
during the summer.
CAMPING CONDITIONS.
1t is believed that the use OF the
mountains for recreation has increased
by 200 per cent since 1904 This is in
part due to the growth of the recreation
spirit In this country. and In part to
the increase in population of the city,
but mainly to the great improvement
in the camping conditions under the
restrictions imposed upon grazing by
the forest service.
The great body of recreation seekers
come from Salt Lake City, but a very
considerable portion is drawn from ths
towns extending southwark to Provo.
They are of all grades of society. The
most usual way In which recreation Is
taken is to drive up the canyon and
camp beside the stream from one night
to three or sometimes extending the
period to two weeks. Owners OF motor
cars frequently go up Big Cottonwood
and spend time either at the hotel at
Brighton or with camping parties at
the so or more attractive summer cot
tages in the head of the canyon
From July to September Is the main
season, although many people enter the
forest for pleasure as early as June A.
or as late as Oct Is A few hunters go
later. The chief rccreations enjoyed arc
fishing, camping. motoring. hoseback.
riding mountain climbing, photog-
raphy. hunting and target shooting.
Points Of interest to sightseers are the
gorges of Big and Little
Cottonwood, American Fork, and Provo
with the rugged mountain
peaks between them. There are also
groups of interesting lakes in Big Cot
The mining operations and
hydro electric power plants attract con-
siderable attention. The only prom
nent hotels are located at Brighton and
near the mouth OF Little Cottonwood
No liquor is sold on the forest under
license
WAsATCH NURSERY.
Ono of the most interesting features
is the Wasatch nursery. located In the
uppor part OF Big Cottonwood canyon.
Hero the government has expended a
large sum in pcrfecting a forest nur-
sery OF the most approved type which
is devoted to the production Of seed
llngs OF the most valuable western for
est species. About 100000 plants are
now in process OF growth. These and
tho succeeding crops will be used In
suitable portions of the city
watershed and other parts of the Wa
satch forest as we'll as for planting con-
Quoted on other national forests em-
braced In the large area between Wei |
SCR. Idaho. and the Grand Canyon.
The uso of tho Wasatch forest Is in
creasing SO rapidly that 1t may become
necessary before long to place some |
restrictions upon the way camping Is
carried on. The presence of $4,000 or
10 900 persons every summer upon the |
main water supply of the city IL likely |
to result In serious pollution OF the |
water and consequent cpl |
denies OF disease unless care Is takcn |
in tho location and policing OF the |
There are always headstrong |
persons among such a number of peo- |
pie whose reckless actions make regu- |
lation necessary for the safety of 9TH |
crs.
But unless the city board of health |
should some time decide that the well
fare of the city demands absolute va