24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 21" Depth at Gold Basin: 14"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: W 10-15 G 30 Temp: 37° F

Weather

In spite of above freezing temperatures at 10,000 feet, Gold Basin SNOTEL is somehow holding at 14 inches of snow but the great December melt-off continues. Another day of record warm temperatures is on tap with the trend continuing through early next week. All eyes are fixed on a shift to southwest flow and a low pressure system off the Pacific coast that looks like it will finally bring us some precipitation for Christmas. Very warm temperatures are expected to accompany this system with valley rain and mountain snow. Stay tuned.

General Conditions

I did a driving tour around the range on Thursday and got the truck into places I had no business being this time of year including Warner and Oowah Lakes. Most south aspects are bare at this point. In gullies and terrain features that hold snow, the surface ranges from firm to crusted. On northerly aspects, the snow line creeps down to about 8000 feet where about six inches of snow can be found. Above the Geyser Pass winter trailhead, 12-24 inches of snow can be found on northerly aspects but it is faceting through. Above tree line, many northerly aspects have been blasted down to the rocks. It's not a pretty picture out there. The good news is, we haven't seen any rain on snow.

For the very intrepid, decent turning is being reported on firm south aspects when they soften up. Dave also found good skiing in re-crystallized powder (aka faceted snow) on a northerly aspect near tree line but with the thin cover, the type of terrain where this is available is extremely limited. Dave also got over to the La Sal Pass area earlier this week. Read his report and all other observations here.

Gold Basin skyline as seen from the Warner Lake road. Mount Tukuhnikivatz on right.

Snowpack and Weather Data

NEW! Gold Basin webcam storm stake

Gold Basin Storm Stake (10,000')