The snowpack has taken a hard hit the past few days and continues shrinking right before our eyes. The bad news is... there are no big storms or even a hint at a pattern change for at least a week. The badder news is... in the absence of additional snow, the pack loses its strength, transforming into a very weak, sugary mess. This makes for a potentially dangerous setup once winter decides to return from its hiatus.

Above is 24 hour data from Chalk Creek (9,169') and Windy Peak (10,662')

Click here to check out more Uinta weather station info

Ted was around Mirror Lake Highway after the late October storm and found the upper elevation terrain rather white. But it's still in the "white from far, but far from white" category. Right now by far, the biggest hazard is slamming into a buried obstacle barely hidden underneath the thin facade of snow.

It'll be a minute or two before we're riding, but in the mean time here's a few things to remember:

1. Hitting rocks and stumps is a real danger. Don't end your season before it starts with an injury from hitting one of these obstacles.
2. Avalanches are a real possibility. It doesn't matter if you are hiking, hunting, skiing, etc., be prepared with rescue gear and a partner. Many people have died during early season snow storms. Listen to this podcast episode about a bad day in November 2011 when many avalanches were triggered and pro skier Jamie Pierre died.
3. Ski resorts all have different uphill travel policies. Some are closed, like Snowbird, others are open. These closed resorts can be great places to get in a little skiing especially in you know of a rock free slope, but it should be treated as backcountry terrain. More info HERE but check with each resort for the latest info.

You wouldn't want to run into this crew in a dark alley, but I was sure stoked they helped me get the Uinta weather network up and running. Big thanks to Sean with the NWS and Tyler from Wasatch SAR (pictured here) along with Steve (NWS) and our main man Ted Scroggin (FS/UAC).

Click here for real time Uinta winds, temperatures, and snow depth.