Observation Date
11/28/2024
Observer Name
Bruce Tremper
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Scotts Peak
Location Name or Route
Scott's Hill
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Beautiful bluebird day
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The latest snow improved turning conditions considerably and added a needed boost to the coverage. Total snow depth is still fairly shallow with about a half meter (2 feet) in most areas between 8,000 and 9,000' elevation. Turning conditions were quite good, powdery snow but with such a shallow snowpack the logs, stumps, brush and rocks are still the greatest hazard.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I thought I would turn in a quick observation of what we found today with a quick trip near Scott's Hill near the head of BCC. I dug a snow profile on a NW facing slope at 9,100' in a wind sheltered location on the BCC side of the ridge. It was only 50 cm deep and the bottom half of the snowpack was weak depth hoar and a couple of layers of relatively soft snow on top. At least where I was there's still not enough weight to overload the weak layer and not enough of a slab to propagate a fracture. It's what I call a foof on foof situation. But at higher elevations, wind exposed areas, there could easily be enough weight and slab to make the snow reactive. But there was nothing where I was. I noticed many slopes had lots of visible tracks, USA Bowl, Meadow Chutes, Wolverine Bowl, all were well tracked up, with no avalanches I could see.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,200'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments
It was easy to collapse the depth hoar layer but only right under the shovel and it did not propagate a fracture. The snowpack where I was needed more weight and more of a cohesive slab for a slab avalanche. Upper elevation, wind loaded slopes could easily be reactive. Stepping out of skis you quickly sank to the ground. Watch out if there's a slab on top of this weak snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
