10/01/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us on the Salt River for our annual cleanup Sept. 26. Even with the elk r***e opener, the start of waterfowl season and plenty of other community events pulling people in every direction, a little more than a dozen volunteers turned out. They ranged in age from 12 to their 70s and came from up and down the valley, including Alpine, Etna, Bedford and Afton.
The weather was beautiful, and together we pulled 250 pounds of trash out of the river, matching last year's total with a smaller crew. Because almost everyone brought their own watercraft, we spread out and reached sections we hadn't been to in previous years. The Refuse Recovery Raft, courtesy of the , covered the stretch from Auburn to Diversion and hauled out a large load of floating trash, plus an entire highway roadwork sign.
The strangest finds of the day were a unicycle and a retro alpine ski from the early ’90s. We found only six tires this year, a sign we're finally turning the corner on getting them all out of the river.
Thank you to our returning volunteers and to everyone who came out for the first time. Next year, we hope to get more outfitters, guides, and youth and philanthropic groups on the water with us. See you on the river.
Photo 1: Marta M., 12, of Alpine, WY single handedly tidying up the Swimming Pool River access. Photo by Cathy M.
Photo 2: Mel C. of Etna, WY, proudly displays her most unique find of the day, an old alpine ski circa the early 90s. Photo by Jean B.
Photo 3: Orion H. of Bedford, WY and Jean B., guide with Wyoming Angling Company, pulling a tire out of the Salt River. Photo by Mel C.