Special Avalanche Bulletin
Though things aren't coming apart at the seams like they are in the rest of the state, dangerous avalanche conditions still exist in the mountains of SE Utah. No new snow has fallen since Monday, February 10th, but sustained westerly winds through the week have continued to move snow around causing deep drifts on leeward slopes, primarily at upper elevations. The additional load is adding a lot of stress to the underlying, weak snow pack, and numerous natural avalanches ran last weekend. Slopes that haven't run are hanging in a tenuous balance, further stressed by continued wind loading. Back country travelers need to travel with extreme caution, staying off of and well out from under steep, avalanche terrain.
La Sal Mountains
The snow has settled into a dense, creamy cushion, and turning and riding conditions remain good in sheltered locations. Westerly winds have etched and slightly scoured exposed, westerly aspects at upper elevations. Warm temperatures have begun to affect the snow surface, primarily on sunny aspects where the snow surface has crusted over. Ridge top winds from the NW have averaged 25 mph over night with gusting into the 30's, and it is currently 25 degrees at 10,000'. There is 51" of snow on the ground in Gold Basin, and 31" at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.
Winds and temperature on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,705')
Temperature and new snow totals in Gold Basin (10,050')
Total snow depth and temperature near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9850')
Abajo Mountains
Much less snow has fallen in the Abajo Mountains with some rain falling on snow at lower elevations last weekend. No new reports of conditions have come in since last weekend, and I plan to get down there tomorrow to have a look around. Overnight winds on Abajo Peak have averaged 20 mph from the W with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Winds and temperature on Abajo Peak (11,330')
Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8968')