On March 12, Wasatch Backcountry Alliance will be hosting a free shuttle event to raise awareness for transportation issues and solutions for winter recreationalists.
The free shuttle service is intended to be for dispersed recreational users such as snowshoers, hikers, and backcountry skiers and split-boarders. Dubbed the Wasatch Backcountry Alliance Shuttle Day, the event’s goals are to collect participant feedback, and to raise awareness of transportation and possible solutions that exist today that can reduce traffic congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Utah Mountain Shuttle will provide multiple 12-passenger vans. While the service is free, participants must register at www.utahmountainbikeshuttle.com.
After new snowfall, winter traffic congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon can cause drivers to spend an hour, to more than three hours, waiting in traffic, with resort and dispersed recreational users all vying to access the new snow. The congestion backups are caused by a variety of issues, including avalanche control work by Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), but the biggest factor is the large quantity of cars all driving up a mostly single lane road.
“Wasatch Backcountry Alliance has participated in countless discussions about reducing traffic congestion in the Cottonwood Canyons, we hope to raise awareness of the growing problem, and to collect data from our members who use a shuttle as an alternative to driving,” said Jamie Kent, Wasatch Backcountry Alliance President. “The Shuttle Day event is about taking action to learn more both about the problem and potential solutions.”
Member-driven Event
More than 650 Wasatch Backcountry Alliance Facebook fans took a poll asking if they would try a shuttle, and more than 96% responded with a Yes answer. Additionally the Facebook poll received more than 100 individual comments on topics ranging from ideas of how to make a shuttle work, to alternative ideas, and operational questions. Based on the overwhelming support from the poll, Wasatch Backcountry Alliance decided to organize the one-day Shuttle Day event.
Sponsors & Volunteers
Many sponsors are supporting the Shuttle Day, including Black Diamond, DPS Skis, Voile, Salt Cycles Bike Shop, shopko, Canyon Center Shopping Center and Wasatch Touring. Businesses and individuals wishing to participate in the event as volunteers, or sponsors can email bradr@wasatchbackcountryalliance.org.
Wasatch Backcountry Alliance Shuttle Day Event Details
WHEN: Sat., March, 12, 2016, Shuttles running from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Shuttle Pickup: Smiths / Shopko Parking lot 2039 E. 9400 South
Little Cottonwood Shuttle Stops: Tanners, White Pine, Our Lady of the Snows, and the Summer Road (Grizzly Gulch)
Shuttle Schedule: Each stop will see a van approximately every 30 minutes from 7 (frequency depends on traffic and weather conditions)a.m. – 4 p.m. A final sweeper shuttle will hit each stop at around 5 p.m.
Van RSVP: www.utahmountainbikeshuttle.com
There is also a Facebook event page: Wasatch Backcountry Alliance Event Page
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