We took our first ride of the spring to our cabin in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Snow is still 7 feet deep in the meadow, so we couldn't yet get in. But the hills are greening up and the buds are out on the aspen. I couldn't help but notice that there are even more dead trees along the road this year than last. We realize our Utah mountains can't be as manicured as the Swiss Alps, but couldn't the Forest Service issue permits for private parties to cut down dead trees for use as firewood? Maybe Boy Scout troops or people looking for supplementary income could cut and sell dead trees.
David Brown
Salt Lake City