SUMMERHAVEN, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - Summerhaven residents describe this nasty issue as a chronic problem after big snowfalls. They are tired of cleaning up the garbage that visitors leave behind.
"I took down three truck loads of trash in one week," said Mt. Lemmon resident Karen Shunk.
She finds garbage along the roads after big snowfalls. "Within a week it's outrageous. Then In two weeks everywhere you see snow there's a piece of cardboard," said Shunk.
Debbie Beal works at the Cookie Cabin. She finds store items left behind in the snow. "We have bags and stuff they put their pizza and cookies in. But you know take it home with you," she said.
Brandon McGhe, who sees a lot of trash on the mountain, says he stuffs his trash in his backpack. "People are definitely inconsiderate of the mountain."
"I throw it in the back of my truck in trash bags. Like most people should do," said Jeremy Dunn-Wasowicz. He brings along empty trash bags.
No littering signs are posted in English, but Shunk says some of the visitors south of the border may not be getting the message. "I have asked for Spanish speaking signs 13 - 14 years ago. And we still don't have any," she said. We checked with the U.S. Forest Service and I'm told that's not a priority. But efforts are being made to translate clean-up campaigns into Spanish.
Summerhaven residents are hoping for any help they can get.
