After reading the stories about the man who pushed the rock off its perch in Goblin Valley State Park [“Like a Falling Stone,” Oct. 31, City Weekly], and after a recent trip to Southern Utah’s canyon country, I’ve realized there are needs in Utah that are not being addressed. It’s absolutely imperative for our tourist economy that we make Southern Utah safe for all visitors.
To that end, I’m announcing the start of a new non-profit organization, the Loose Rock Safety Patrol.
We’ll need donations to support us patrolling Southern Utah’s canyon country to properly search for, document, and secure as many loose rocks as we can. Collaborative projects with the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management may be in order, as we’ve spotted many trail-marking cairns that are precariously propped up, posing immediate danger to passing hikers.
A few months in spring in Canyonlands National Park and a few months in fall on BLM lands will allow us to make Southern Utah safer for all: local hikers, tourists and, yes, even Boy Scouts. The hot summers will require cool water, so we’ll patrol in summer on the Green and Colorado rivers to make sure the river corridors are safe.
Please watch local media, including City Weekly, for opportunities to donate to our efforts and sign up for patrol duties.
Jerry Schmidt
Salt Lake City