When I first came to Utah in the 1970’s, I quickly fell in love with the mountains. One of the first locations I frequented was Cascade Springs, only about 25 miles from Utah Valley. I went there often, sometimes with friends, but more often by myself. Back in those days, it was not very crowded. It was a beautiful place to think and ponder. I would walk the trails, study the flora and fauna, and spend hours listening to the sound of rushing water. Almost seven million gallons of water pour through the spring each hour. The water comes from an underground reservoir and passes through cracks in the limestone structure under artesian pressure. It’s fresh and cool. Over the years I’ve seen bear, moose, and countless head of white tail mule deer drinking in the crystal clear water.

When my kids were young, we went there often for family outings. I never tired of that beautiful location. My wife and kids grew to love it every bit as much as me. 15 years ago, in 2003 a terrible thing happened at Cascade Spring. A controlled Forest Service burn got out of control. On that day, an unexpected wind came up and carried embers beyond the control line. The fire burned right to the edge of the spring. In a matter of hours, this favorite spot was lost. My heart sank. I felt that I would never see the springs again in their glory for the rest of my life. I figured revegetation would eventually take place, but it would be far too slow for me to witness. Surly it would take more than my life to see the return of an aspen/maple/oak forest.

In 2005, my son was working to complete his BSA Eagle Scout rank. He chose as his project a revegetation of Cascade Springs. I was his Scout Master back then. We worked with the Forest Service to acquire the native plants. It takes a lot of seedlings to regrow meadows and woods. Most of what we planted was wild rose and other shrubs. It was a good project. I felt that we were working to restore a native habitat that could be enjoyed by another generation. I still believed I would never see the old springs again.

Years have passed; quicker than I could ever imagine. I suppose a generation is roughly calculated at about 20 years. 15 years have come and gone, and after my return visit to Cascade Springs Saturday morning, I’m beginning to think I underestimated the power of Mother Nature. In 5 more years, there may just be a full forest again. When I think back to what the springs looked like in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the setting was more groomed and tame. What has grown so far is much wilder and probably more natural. The growth is lush, thick, and full, even despite the years of drought we’ve suffered. I’m guessing that the springs will be managed different in the 21st Century than it was in the 20th.

The reason I chose to visit Cascade Springs Saturday morning is because currently the #1 and #2 wildfires in the nation are burning in Utah County, my home; the Pole Creek Fire and the Bald Mountain Fire. It’s been a bad year for wildfires. There has been terrible destruction in California resulting from the intense burns. There are fires in all the western states at this time. It’s sad to see so much destruction and loss. On the other hand, there is also renewal and regrowth. Nature is a powerful force, and a healing force. Visiting Cascade Springs reminds me that this fire season will also pass, the forest will heal, and the meadows will once again bloom in a beautiful flush of wildflowers. I’m sad for the loss of human life and property in California this summer. I hope the fires in Utah County will quickly be extinguished.