SLC Wildlife Walls Mural Trail

Frogwater: Brown Trout
& Relict Leopard Frog

South Salt Lake

In 2020, Chris Peterson was selected as one of ten South Salt Lake Mural Fest artists. Painted at the beginning of Covid, he collaborated with the business to generate a design for the 120 foot wall at 2450 S. Main Street in South Salt Lake. The circuitry in the background was adapted from products of the property owners own product circuit board diagrams focused around the hunt of a Relict Leopard Frog by a pastel rainbow monster Brown trout.

This mural is included in the Wildlife Walls Mural Trail to raise wildlife awareness.

This mural project was installed in 2020 by Chris Peterson Studio at 2450 S. Main Street in partnership South Salt Lake Arts Council and Cordin Scientific Imaging. Commissioned by South Salt Lake Arts Council as part of Muralfest that year, the stipend was inadequate to paint this wall, so Cordin funded a design to stretch across the 120 foot wall. A QR code will be installed on the mural to educate visitors about the species and provide recommendations for nearby firsthand wildlife encounters.

Brown trout

Brown trout are one of Utah’s most popular game fish and are widely distributed throughout the state. Originally from Europe and not native to Utah, they were introduced to North America in the 1880s and have since become naturalized in many Western waters. They can outcompete native species like cutthroat trout in some systems, especially where water temperatures are warmer or habitat has been altered. Their ability to tolerate a wide range of conditions, including warming streams where native trout may struggle, has allowed them to thrive in Utah.

Known for their golden-brown bodies and black and red spots, brown trout are elusive, powerful fish.
Brown trout can live for over 10 years and grow to more than 20 inches in the wild.
They feed on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and smaller fish, including other trout species.

Where to see Brown trout:

Middle Provo River: This is one of Utah’s top brown trout fisheries, famous for its accessibility and success rate.
Logan River: Fish the Logan River in Logan Canyon, home to a healthy, self-sustaining bronw trout population.
Green River: While the Green is often celebrated for its rainbow trout, it is also home to a significant number of brown trout. Fish the world-class stretch of river below Flaming Gorge Dam.

Relict Leopard Frog

The relict leopard frog is one of the West’s most at-risk amphibian species. Once widespread along the lower Colorado River system but were thought to be extinct in the 1950’s. It species was rediscovered along the Virgin and Muddy Rivers in the 1990’s. They now survive only in a few isolated pockets in the Mojave Desert and are thought to be extirpated from the state of Utah.

Relict leopard frogs depend on clean, perennial water sources with dense vegetation, using these habitats for breeding, foraging, and shelter. They feed primarily on small insects and other invertebrates. Loss of natural springs due to water diversion, habitat degradation, and competition from non-native species like bullfrogs have all contributed to their decline.

They are typically olive or brown with distinct dark spots.
They are primarily active at night, especially during warm months.
Conservation programs have successfully reintroduced small populations into protected habitats along the Virgin and Muddy Rivers.

Where to see Relict Leopard frogs:

While relict leopard frogs disappeared from Utah in the early 1950s, you can still find them in southern Nevada. Head to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where protected springs and wetlands offer one of the few remaining places to spot them in the wild.

Frogwater mural

Designed and installed by Chris Peterson Studio

From the Artist

In 2020, I applied to the call for artists put out by the South Salt Lake Muralfest and was chosen as one of the artists. The South Salt Lake Arts Council assigned me this 120 foot wall, but offered a budget for a 20 foot wall. They recommended to only paint a portion of the wall, but I was not content with this solution. Luckily, the property owner agreed that we shouldn't paint a partial wall and were willing to augment the budget so I could compose a design for the whole thing. For the background circuitry, I used wiring diagrams from Cordin Company's own products.

This project is an exploration of the juxtaposition of technology and nature; highlighting the warming waters of the American West as cold water fish habitat warms up. As our rivers get warmer, brown trout have a growing advantage over native cutthroat trout.

Celebrate Utah's wildlife with big art and wildlife encounters across the state on the Wildlife Walls Mural Trail.

Wildlife Walls Mural Trail Map

Wildlife Etiquette: Always observe from a distance, stay on marked trails, and never feed wild animals.

Nearby Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Peacocks @ Allen Park: Nestled in the Sugar House neighborhood, Allen Park is a quiet, artsy area where remnants of free-roaming peafowl still draw visitors.
Raptors @ Jordan River Parkway (Arrowhead Park): This stretch of the Jordan River offers great opportunities to spot Swainson’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, and kestrels soaring above the cottonwoods or perched along the river corridor.
Moose @ Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon): Just a short, accessible walk around Silver Lake often results in sightings of moose grazing in the wetlands, especially early in the morning or at dusk.
Bison and burrowing owls @ Antelope Island: Less than an hour from Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park is home to one of the largest free-roaming bison herds in the country, along with burrowing owls, pronghorn, coyotes, and shorebirds.
Wild horses @ Dugway Mountains (Onaqui Herd): West of the Salt Lake Valley, the Onaqui Mountains are home to one of Utah’s most iconic wild horse herds. Access is remote, high-clearance vehicles are recommended. They are best viewed in spring and fall.
Bonneville cutthroat trout @ Millcreek Canyon: This canyon offers accessible roadside pull-offs and shaded streams where Bonneville cutthroat trout can often be spotted swimming in clear pools.
Mountain goats @ Mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon: Keep an eye on the cliffs above the canyon entrance, especially in spring and early summer, when mountain goats descend to feed on new vegetation.
Rattlesnakes @ Rattlesnake Gulch, Millcreek Canyon: True to its name, Rattlesnake Gulch is prime habitat for rattlesnakes. Stay alert and observe from a safe distance if you encounter one on a trail.
Red fox @ Big Cottonwood Regional Park: This urban green space in Holladay is occasionally home to red foxes. Early morning walks offer your best chance at a glimpse.
Pelicans and waterbirds @ Decker Lake: Located just west of downtown, Decker Lake attracts American white pelicans, Canada geese, and various migratory waterfowl. Viewing is best in spring and fall.
Migratory shorebirds @ Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge: Though a bit of a drive, this world-renowned bird refuge is well worth the trip. Visit during spring and fall migrations for peak shorebird activity, including avocets, stilts, and phalaropes.

Wildlife Institutions in Salt Lake City:

Hogle Zoo: Located near the mouth of Emigration Canyon, Hogle Zoo is your chance to see a wide range native species upclose, including cougars, bighorn sheep, bobcats, and yellow-bellied marmots.
Tracy Aviary (Liberty Park): One of the oldest aviaries in the U.S., Tracy Aviary houses over 130 bird species including golden eagles, bald eagles, American white pelicans, and barred owls.
Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center (Pia Okwaiwai): Situated along the Jordan River in South Salt Lake, this nature center offers bird blinds and walking trails with chances to view wild raptors and shorebirds in restored wetland habitat.
Eccles Great Salt Lake Audubon Wildlife Center (Lee Kay Center): Just west of downtown, this new center sits along the southern shoreline of the Great Salt Lake and provides opportunities to see great blue herons, shorebirds, and other waterfowl. The surrounding wetlands are critical stopovers for migratory birds.
Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter (Park City): Though technically just outside the Salt Lake Valley, Swaner Preserve is well worth the short drive. The 1,200-acre preserve is home to moose, sandhill cranes, and a variety of wetland species. Guided tours and boardwalk trails provide easy viewing access.
Red Butte Garden: Adjacent to the University of Utah, Red Butte Garden is a great place to spot local wildlife. Birds, butterflies, and even rattlesnakes can be seen along the garden’s trails, particularly in spring and summer.

Don't miss these Local Attractions

Wheeler Historic Farm: A working farm with historic barns, animals on display, and seasonal wagon rides.
Big Cottonwood Park: An urban park with picnic areas, nature trails, and playgrounds. Keep an eye out for red foxes and a variety of birds during early mornings and evenings.
Jordan River Parkway Trail: A scenic 40-mile trail system running through the valley, offering biking, walking, and wildlife spotting. Arrowhead Park is a top spot along the trail for seeing Swainson’s hawks and other raptors.
Gardner Village: A historic mill complex transformed into a charming village with boutique stores, restaurants, and seasonal events like witch festivals and holiday lights.

Frogwater: Brown Trout & Relict Leopard Frog