The current snowpack is generally stable and triggering an avalanche is unlikely. However (I know, there always is a "however") winds have been elevated throughout this past week and may remain gusty this coming weekend. This means small pockets of recent and fresh wind drifts are possible along upper elevation ridgelines. Although I expect any avalanches to remain small, obstacles such as rocks, stumps, and downed timber that can turn even a minor avalanche involvement into a consequential accident.

Our early-season snowpack is generally stable although there are some isolated areas with weaker snow, such as some graupel that fell during the day on Tuesday as well as some faceted snow around crusts that were near the old snow surface prior to the Tuesday storm. But overall the snowpack is right-side-up, meaning the snowpack gains strength as you work from the surface of the snow down to the ground. (Photo from Friday field work in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.)