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Observation: Lofty Lake

Observation Date
2/2/2018
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Mirror Lake Highway » Lofty Lake
Location Name or Route
Steiner/Lofty
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Low clouds, moist rime layer above 9,000', light northwest winds and limited visibility till mid afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Above 9,000' a moist rime cloud layer settled in for a good portion of the day around Hayden Pass/Steiner area. The snow surface developed a thin rime crust mainly in the open areas, with some dense settled snow in very protected places. Not an issue on a sled, but tricky to get around on skis or board.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Roughly 140cm (50") snow depth in this location with some weak layers near the surface and the buried surface hoar about a foot down from the snow surface. A 1 finger hard slab through the mid-pack with weak faceted sugary snow near the old crusts.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Locations where the snow pack is thinner and weak faceted is more developed would be likely places where an avalanche could be triggered on the persistent weak layers in the snow pack.
Comments
Low clouds and moist air created a thin rime crust in the higher terrain creating frosted trees and limited visibility.
A thin rime crust developed which may become a slick bed surface with additional snow.
Moderate stability with tests and no clean cracks or propagation on the buried weak sugary snow around the middle of the pack.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate