Tell Me Your Canyon Story

What does Little River Canyon mean to you?

For me, Little River Canyon is the setting of one of my earliest memories. Barely more than a toddler, I was taken by my parents to Canyon Land Park and Zoo. The history of Canyon Land is worth a full story unto itself, but suffice it to say the carnival rides, miniature golf course, zoo, and live entertainment — not to mention the chair lift carrying visitors deep into the canyon — were quite the regional attraction in the early 1970s.

This little blonde-headed kid was fascinated with the animals. As we were leaving, a lamb said “baaaa,” and Mama told me it was saying “bye!” to me. I was thrilled and amazed. That’s all I remember from our visit that day, but it has stuck with me for more than five decades.

That would only be the beginning of memories forged around Little River Canyon. So many drives around the rim. Picnics. Hikes to Little River Falls. Photos of landscapes ablaze with fall colors. Good times with friends and family.

In 1992, as a young reporter, I sat on the rim with dignitaries, supporters, and other members of the press to see our canyon become a National Preserve. I didn’t fully understand or appreciate at the time the tremendous effort it took to make this designation happen, or the impact it would have on preserving this natural and cultural treasure.

Then there’s Eberhart Point. The hike to the base is steep with its three switchbacks, but the hike out is something the National Park Service website kindly frames as “can be very strenuous.” I have many great memories of being at the bottom, surrounded by 600-foot sandstone cliffs, soothed by the flowing river, and feeling closer to the earth than I’ve ever felt.

Little River Canyon is powerful, lasting, and ever present. It was there waiting for early explorers to the region to discover it, and to become the backdrop of so many stories, songs, adventures, and moments of pure magic in the decades since.

I’d love to hear your Little River Canyon stories. Email groundhognews@yahoo.com, and be sure to include your name and contact information. Or post it on Facebook and tag The Groundhog.

I love the sentiment captured by singer/songwriter (and Mentone resident) Pierce Pettis, whose album “State of Grace” features the song “Little River Canyon” with its chorus:

This song is just an echo

This song is just a ripple from a stone (that was)

Tossed into the water long ago

And thus our canyon’s story will continue reaching new generations, long after we take our last hike.