Little Cottonwood Canyon lies along the eastern border of the Salt Lake Valley where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Basin, roughly 25 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah. The canyon is a popular sightseeing destination and is a glacially carved corridor. At the mouth of the canyon is the site where Mormon pioneers quarried massive quartz monzonite blocks to build the Salt Lake Temple. Mountain goats inhabit the surrounding mountains. Wilderness Areas are located on both sides of the steep canyon. Summer recreational activities here include rock climbing, camping, picnicking, and hiking.