New Developments On and Around Malan's Basin Property

Chris Peterson continues to keep us guessing.

By Dan Schroeder

I've just posted an update on the Sierra Club web site (Update on Cleared Routes, June 2010 ) regarding recent activities on and around the Malan's Basin property.

1. There's a relatively new chainsawed ski route that hasn't been reported here before. It descends gradually from the base of Malan's Falls along the north-facing slope, then rounds the corner and continues descending the west-facing slope between Waterfall Canyon and Strong's Canyon. Part of this route was cut last year and the rest was cut a couple of months ago. To get to it from Malan's Basin, however, you would have to descend the very steep gulch that lies just south of the waterfall.

2. Chris Peterson has purchased the 7-acre parcel of land immediately east of the 29th Street trailhead parking area. This parcel was previously owned by the Malan/Rasmussen family (under the name Malan Religious Foundation), and is zoned for multi-family residential development. Ironically, Peterson has created an entity called "Saving Our Foothill Property LLC" which is the recorded owner of this property.

3. The Malan Religious Foundation still owns an additional 40 acres somewhat farther south, spanning the mouth of Waterfall Canyon. However, Peterson paid the property taxes on this land (just under $4000) last December, and the county plat maps now show that Saving Our Foothill Property has "claims" against these parcels.

Readers are invited, of course, to speculate on the meaning of all this.