Avalanche clean up underway in Little Cottonwood Canyon after “major” Utah winter
Jun 1, 2023, 8:30 PM
Backcountry skiers Jake Turnbull, left, Santiago Vega and Jason Malczyk walk back to their cars after skiing at Alta Ski Area at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon on Monday, June 8, 2020. Little Cottonwood Canyon experienced almost 100 avalanches this winter, leaving crews to clean up the huge mess left behind. Steve Griffin, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Little Cottonwood Canyon experienced almost 100 avalanches this winter, leaving crews to clean up the huge mess left behind.
“It really wrecked havoc on the canyon there,” John Gleason with the Utah Department of Transportation says. “Bringing down trees, rocks [and] all sorts of debris.”
Gleason says those traveling through the canyon should be aware of the clean up efforts.
“Use caution as you’re driving up there,” Gleason says. “If you’re hiking in the area know that there probably will be some trees that have been brought down, some rocks [and] things that are a little out of place from where they normally are … That’s just due to the major winter we had.”
According to Gleason, the clearing of Guardsman pass, a major seasonal route, will start next week.
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