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Observation: Bald Mountain

Observation Date
1/23/2016
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Mirror Lake Highway » Bald Mountain
Location Name or Route
Bald Mt. Ruth Lake
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Driving to the trailhead this morning, the winds were already gusty along the high peaks seen from the highway. Good visibility for the first half of the day, with grey skies moving in and moderate to strong southeast winds up near Lofty Peak around mid-day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Noted some surface hoar this morning, but would imagine most of this will be destroyed by all the gusty winds today. Pretty decent coverage up in the high terrain around Bald Mt. and Lofty Lake, only a few large rocks poking through. Over all the snow conditions in this area are quite good, but the winds were starting to affect the snow quality.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Lots of wind today and they were forming some fresh wind slabs up to a foot deep along the ridge lines. They were manageable at the time I was stomping around on them, but it was a day of changing conditions in the high terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Slopes on the north side of the compass should have some sensitive wind slabs that formed today and these would likely be deeper and more connected than this afternoon with forecasted winds and snow this evening.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Comments
The few hours of good weather this morning allowed for some nice views of the high peaks and things are white along the Hwy 150 corridor.
What looks to be an older large crown on Mount Marsell.
Around mid-day the grey skies moved in and light snow followed shortly after.
The slabs I was finding along the exposed ridge lines were breaking up to a foot deep similar to this one on an east facing slope.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable