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Observation: Mineral Fork

Observation Date
3/29/2019
Observer Name
L. Dunn
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork
Location Name or Route
Mineral Fk, GB No/Moonlight
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
It snowed on and off all day with a couple of claps of thunder. We had approximately 3" of new snow during the day. The snow that fell today was mostly graupel but there were periods of dendrites, too. Gusty winds down in the bottom of BCC, but generally less wind up in Mineral Fork although we did not go to the top of Santiago Ridge. Essentially cloud cover all day, so the snow surface never got warm/wet as there was very little if any sunshine.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Great right side up snow in Mineral Fork with enough snow and enough density in the snow to keep from feeling the bottom on all but the steepest slopes. The new snow seemed to bond well to the old snow surface on all aspects. We had no signs of instability in the 7500'-9500' range where we skinned and skied. Even when we skied steep slopes and rollovers the snow stayed put.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate