Chief Wasatch - Peter Toth Carving

Chief Wasatch in Murray ParkOne of the more recent oddities of the Salt Lake valley is the tree carving of Chief Wasatch. Completed in 1985 by Peter “Wolf” Toth, this sculpture of Native American leader, Chief Wasatch, is part of an art series – Trail of the Whispering Giants - of sculptures honoring Native Americans that he carved in all 50 states and some parts of Canada. The carving of Chief Wasatch in Murray City Park (5001 South State Street) measures 23 feet tall and weighs over 35,000 pounds and is carved out of a cottonwood tree. In reality, carves is not quite the right word as Toth primarily used a chainsaw to sculpt the art piece.