Michael Boman

Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » Lake Desolation

Mill D North Fork -- Desolation Lake area

9,700'

Northeast

40°

Unknown

Hard Slab

Persistent Weak Layer

4.5'

175'

300'

While snowshoeing above Desolation Lake I noted a fairly significant avalanche on the northerly facing slope above the Lake. After snowshoeing further above the Lake, I elected to investigate the avalanche before heading down canyon for the day. The fracture point of the slide was below the summit and appeared to a natural avalanche. The avalanche ran through the large pines and would have been a nasty ride straining through the forest had one been present. There was one to two inches of fresh on the very steep slope and small snow rollers dancing down the slope as well.

The first picture was taken from above Desolation Lake looking at the avalanche proper

The second picture looking across the fracture point ranging 4 to 5 feet in depth

The next two pictures showing the large snow blocks that ran with the avalanche and the terminus. Once again, a fairly significant slide.