The views of nature and the outdoors people enjoy while visiting Red Grade Trails are beautiful from any perspective. Now, a mural painted on the interior walls of the vault toilet at Base Trailhead brings the beauty of the mountain to visitors when Mother Nature calls.
The mural, titled Respicio, features vibrant, colorful depictions of local wildlife like eagles, hummingbirds, cougars, and bears with aspen trees and a bluebird sky background. Local artist Jeremiah Young created it with support from Sheridan County, SAGE Community Arts, and the Sheridan Community Land Trust.
Respicio is a Latin word meaning to look, observe, and respect beings. Young said he chose the title and theme in hopes that it would help inspire visitors to respicio the beautiful place we all share at Red Grade Trails.
“The inspiration behind the design was the idea of what animals one may see on the trail. If you stop for a bathroom break, the hope is to give people inspiration about what they may encounter or experience on the trail,” he explained.
A mixture of base interior paint, spray paint, and paint markers were used to make the mural. Young began work in late September. The Elk Fire slowed his work. When the fire first started, Young found himself surrounded by a swarm of ladybugs. “They became my painting buddies, but it was frustrating to paint and draw around them,” he recalled.
Then, the trailhead and surrounding area were closed as firefighters and emergency response personnel worked to keep our communities, livestock, and property safe. Once he could resume work, Young displayed the resilience of the natural world around him as he battled cold temperatures and a tight timeline to complete the mural. “It was a challenge. It was cold and difficult, but we got it done!” he exclaimed.
The mural is one of the first pieces of public art added to restrooms and vault toilets on public land across the West. SCLT Recreation Program Manager Jared Koenig said he hopes this mural helps inspire more public art in overlooked public places, like vault toilets, where they may help reduce egregiously uncleanly use and vandalism – challenges that universally vex recreation managers.
The vault toilet will be closed during the winter season, though visitors will be able to take it in when Mother Nature calls this coming spring.
