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John Hollenhorst reporting A lot of people beat the heat today by heading for the hills. But even on normal summer days, car traffic in our mountain canyons has been increasing dramatically in recent years.
That's why officials have started thinking about mass transit in the canyons, and today they announced a baby step in that direction.
When it was a blistering 102 at the airport Sunday, we watched our thermometer drop about 20 degrees to the low 80's. That's one very good argument for driving up to Alta, along with great scenery, wildlife, fresh air and lots of cars.
Salt Lake City's three most popular canyons get more visitors than most national parks. And that means cars, cars, cars.
A hiker from Venice, Italy shared the gravel road in Albion Basin with dozens of cars. But he still considers it one of the prettiest places he's ever seen.
Sinvano Piona, Venice, Italy Resident: : "I Think it is a splendid visit here. The landscape is unique."
Others wish for more solitude, fewer cars.
Mark Wasescha, Salt Lake City: "I come up here all the time and one of the reasons I come up here is just to get away from population and people and cars and pollution. Come up here to get away from that and you see these cars just one after another."
It's a concern to officialdom too because cars park alongside the road, or in the vegetation. Now the Town of Alta has decided to launch a free shuttle service using vans on the road through Albion Basin.
Tom Pollard, Alta Mayor: "There will be two vehicles running at half-hour increments, so you would only have to wait 15 minutes or so for another one to come through."
Natalie Mitchell, Salt Lake Hiker: "We were walking up here and it's just kind of annoying to have all these cars just passing us as we were walking up. So a shuttle would be really nice."
Forest Service planners say similar issues are growing each year in all three canyons.
Loren Kroenke, U.S. Forest Service: "I think so. And we're hopeful that others will take the hint from what alta is doing and look at other options in other canyons."
It's just in the study phase. The Forest Service has no specific proposals. But long-range options could include buses, vans or trams.
Loren Kroenke, U.S. Forest Service: "And there may even be higher-tech solutions. I wouldn't want to constrain the thinking at this point. But it is something that is important."
But will drivers take advantage of Alta's free ride to Albion Basin?
Tom Pollard, Alta Mayor: "I think it's going to be about 50-50. America always has a love affair with their cars. It's always hard to get people out of their cars."
The Town of Alta still has an approval process to go through. But they hope to have their shuttle service in operation soon, before the peak of Albion's wildlflower season.
