Observer Name
Michael Boman
Observation Date
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Avalanche Date
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill B South
Location Name or Route
Mill B South — Lake Blanche
Elevation
8,900'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Natural
Depth
3.5'
Width
1,500'
Comments
I hiked and snowshoed on Mill B to check out the large avalanche that ran below the cliff bands near (below) Lake Blanche. The avalanche was monstrous and broke across the entire upper slope running its full length.
The avalanche crossed and obliterated the summer trail in many spots. As the pictures attest, the avalanche was destructive and blasted many Aspen and took out several stately pines.
As noted, it ran full length with the terminus up to 10+ feet deep. I've seen this avy path run numerous times in the last 10 years. This was the most impressive and destructive I can recall likely out performing the large slide of 2017.
This slide is in a super popular area on the Lake Blanche trail. It appears the high avalanche rating and avalanche warning kept people off the trail and safe. Great work!
Note that the first two pictures are looking up and down the avy path from the same spot. Other pictures of its massive path and destruction.
