Keep Axhandle Canyon open to public access
Lately I’ve been reading accounts in the
local newspapers about landowners attempting
to convince the Sanpete County Commissioners
to restrict public access to the
Axhandle Canyon Road west of Ephraim.
News reports give the impression that
only two types of people ever use that public
right-of-way: rightful landowners and vandals.
I would like to submit that I belong to
a third type of person using that road: lawabiding
citizens.
I’ve been frequenting that area since
fi rst going deer hunting there in the 1960s
with my grandfather, the late Carl Anderson
from Chester. (Grandpa always referred to
the canyon as “Exxel.”)
Some of the recent news reports referred
to people leaving trash and debris in the
area. We have been hauling trash out of that
canyon for years and years.
No mention was made in any of the
reports of work performed by our local 4-by-
4 club, the Sanpete County HubScratchers.
Each of the last three years, we have organized
a clean-up where dozens of people
have spent one day in the fall cleaning
along various roads on the West Mountain.
We typically do this in conjunction with the
National Public Lands Day.
No mention was made of Rich Gillins
of North Sanpete Disposal providing
a huge roll-off dumpster each of the last
three years. No mention of another local
businessman, James Millett of A-Z Glass,
providing funds to purchase radio advertising
and raffl e prizes for the folks who
pick up trash.
No mention of Logan Ray of Dax
Welding buying 6-foot hoagies from Kent’s
Market to feed the hungry volunteers. No
mention of Kurt Larsen of Kurt Larsen Electric
providing beverages. What I’m trying to
say is that we have been the very opposite of
the people described in those news reports.
I’ve seen copies of a topographical map
showing “jeep trails” all through Axhandle
Canyon. One of the side drainages on the
map is called Left-Hand Fork. We’ve called
Left Hand Fork the “Hanging Tree Trail”
since early 1996 when we started using it
on a regular basis.
The trail has gained a reputation as one
of the very best trails in the state. Members
of the jeeping community come from all
over the state to enjoy the Hanging Tree
Trail and its many challenges, not the least
of which is Gordon’s Launching Pad.
These are conscientious, law-abiding
citizens who practice the “tread lightly”
concept of off-roading. My understanding
is that ATV enthusiasts have also begun to
enjoy the Hanging Tree Trail. These people
spend money at local businesses for food,
fuel, lodging and provisions, helping to support
the local economy.
I certainly empathize with any property
owner who has had problems with irresponsible
or even criminal individuals. My property
in Mt. Pleasant has been burglarized in
the past. (But not since I got the two watch
dogs.)
Convincing Mt Pleasant City to close
the public street that runs past my property
would certainly help me with my problem,
but my neighbors who have legitimate
reasons to drive past my property would be
unfairly discriminated against.
I urge our county commissioners not
to enable the closure of yet another public
road. I also encourage everyone out there
who has an opinion on this matter, one way
or the other, to let their elected representatives
know how they feel. Let’s work to
keep public lands open to we the people.
Chad Taylor.
Chad Taylor of Mt. Pleassant is secretary of Hub-
Scratchers, a local four-wheeling group that is a
member club in the Utah Four-Wheel Drive Association.
He has been jeeping since the late 1980s.
(copy/paste) from Sanpete Messenger, I cant figure out how to link the opionions article from there site. but this was written by Chad Taylor and published by both Sanpete Messenger and The Pyramid both local papers.
