Hiker Calls For Big Cottonwood Canyon Cleanup

BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON, Utah – Phill Monson typically makes a habit of bringing a bag to collect garbage when he goes on hikes. Over the Labor Day weekend, however, he may have found more than he bargained for.

“We were up Guardsman’s Pass,” Monson started. “Just found massive piles of garbage, and a lot of dog poop in little baggies, all just piled up.”

The experience was enough to get him to call for a community cleanup. Using Facebook and Instagram, he’s asking people to join him at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, in the park and ride lot at the mouth of the canyon.

“We’ll start at the little parking lots, and off to the sides and to the trails, and to the picnic areas,” Monson said. “We’ll make sure everybody’s got gloves, because let’s be honest, it’s disgusting, picking up other people’s garbage.”

Monson is hopeful that if the effort goes well, more can be held in the future.

“It’s nothing new. A lot of people have done this,” Monson said. “It just got to the point where something needs to be done. Something really needs to be said.”