Public Notice: access changes in Grizzly

First published December 15, 2023
Updated on January 6, 2026

Wasatch Backcountry Alliance recently met with the Town of Alta (TOA) to address user concerns in upper LCC. The residents and owners of the three houses below Culps are seeking help managing the huge volume of backcountry users that pass through their private property on an old “road” that folks use as a skin-track.

While not all maps have up-to-date public lands layers, the TOA confirmed that if you are skinning or skiing on this yellow line to access the Emma’s, Culps, Michigan City road, etc, you are crossing private property. In fact, most of the land from Grizzly Gulch to Superior is private land.

Recently, these landowners  have had close calls with skiers nearly hitting toddlers while out playing in their yard, as well as instances of skiers cursing owners and residents. We do not believe these owners want to prevent recreation access from continuing, we also want to promote good relationships and prevent conflict. 

There’s no denying the popularity has exploded for this access point. While we assume most of you are good-eggs, we want to be respectful community members. 

Please use an alternate route that avoids cutting through their property. If you are skiing in Grizzly, we encourage you to start at the Summer Road, regardless of where you parked. If you are trying to access Michigan City Road, please use an alternative starting point (or perhaps cut the skinner farther West of the homes and road). Keep in mind, no matter where in the Wasatch you are, you are accessing terrain at your own risk in regards to avalanche safety. 

Please help us share this message and be good stewards of our crowded Cottonwood Canyons!