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Observation: Cottonwood Canyons

Observation Date
3/10/2021
Observer Name
Greg Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Cottonwood Canyons
Location Name or Route
Upper Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clearing skies by mid-morning.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
~10 cms of very-low density snow on top of frozen crusts. Despite the cool temps (Collins station at 9,600' at Alta was in the low teens while I was out) the strong sun quickly went to work on the low-density snow, and it is likely all but due north will be crusted.
Comments
Few quick fitness laps along upper reaches of BCC and LCC. Dry new snow was reactive to ski cuts on steep slopes as it would sluff easily, running on the old, crusted snow surface. I had left by late morning, but am expecting there was also some minor wet loose activity as well as the day warmed.
I did not find any pockets of fresh wind drifts.
Photo of
Sluffing on steep slopes
Natural sluffing in Wolvernie Cirque
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates