Avalanche clean up underway in Little Cottonwood Canyon after “major” Utah winter

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.

Related stories

• Thirteen avalanches reported in Utah’s backcountry this weekend
• Roof avalanche off cabin killed Utah man, but it’s ‘completely preventable,’ says expert
• Cottonwood canyons partially closed for several days for avalanche control
• Could toll roads be coming to Big and Little Cottonwood canyons?
• Little Cottonwood Canyon is one of most avalanche-prone canyons in the world, U of U professor says

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