Welcome to the SLC Foothills Ranger Station!
In 2022, the Salt Lake City Public Lands Department launched its Park Ranger Program, and with that, came two dedicated Rangers solely for the Foothills Natural Area. Their role is to patrol the Foothills, assist and educate trail users, report areas of concern, and support the health of the Foothills community. While there are two dedicated Foothills Rangers, Haley Long and Kyle Webster, their shifts are generally split with one of them patrolling Sunday to Wednesday and the other Wednesday to Saturday. They patrol together on Wednesdays and are paired with another Park Ranger on all other days. They generally patrol on 10-hour shifts which are flexible based on season and trail use. The Foothills Rangers will be posting signage on kiosks and A-frames to keep the community up-to-date on events and information, including times scheduled to meet with the Ranger team. Please stop and say hello and thank them for their hard work and protection and care of the Foothills!
Our Ranger Station Field Notes
Ranger Haley and Ranger Kyle will regularly post updates in this “Ranger Station” that aim to help build a stronger Foothills community. This will include scheduled Ranger meet and greets, information and education about invasive weed mitigation and trail safety, updates for trail users, Foothills ecosystem education, and suggestions for creating a more welcoming and inclusive Foothills for all.
August 2, 2023
SLC Be W.I.L.D. Limit your Impact suggestion: Did you see this rain coming??? When going out to enjoy the foothills, always be “weather aware”. Check conditions before going, as storms can roll in quickly and catch you off guard in areas with little shelter. If the forecast indicates rain, avoid trails in order to prevent damage in muddy conditions. Check out the National Weather Service or Weather Channel or similar weather sites or apps to Limit your impact!!! – Ranger Kyle
July 22, 2023
July 21, 2023
To communicate more strategically with the public, we will be planning to table at trailheads to meet trail users, talk about upcoming projects, and answer any questions the public might have for us. Tonight we will be at 18th Avenue Trailhead from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. Please come by and say hello! We will post upcoming future dates and locations as well. – Ranger Haley
July 20, 2023
Ensign Peak is a “hot spot” to celebrate Pioneer Day every year. But with the summer heat, the open space is hot enough without fireworks. Enjoy the views and trails in the Foothills, but it just takes one spark to burn them down by lighting fireworks! – Ranger Haley
July 12, 2023
A large tree fell across the Wagner Spings Trail above Emigration Trailhead earlier this week. Don’t worry; Haley was okay despite her propensity for drama as shown in the photo. The TNL Foothills Maintenance team cleared the path on this morning. – Ranger Kyle
June 29, 2023
Lots of hikers on trail. Lots of bikers on trail. Here’s the first equestrian we’ve seen in a while. And unfortunately, no equestrian use is permitted in the Foothills. (Except for trail rides at This is the Place Heritage Park.) – Ranger Kyle
May 16, 2023
Busy weekend in the Foothills for local wildlife. The Wasatch Wildlife Watch cams caught a diversity of mammalian activity this weekend. Raccoons and deer and pumas, oh my! – Ranger Haley
November 14, 2022
Debuting the new Living Room Trail in the Foothills! Just kidding… Despite the recent “re-furnishing” of the Foothills – we have had to remove three couches from the trails in the last two weeks – these fun moments for a few create big (and expensive) headaches for City staff. It takes significant Public Lands resources and dollars to haul these out by foot and take to the dump. Wouldn’t you rather see our staff busy with trail maintenance and community education rather than dump runs?
