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Observation: Pre-Laurel Peak

Observation Date
3/8/2025
Observer Name
Ament, Nauman, Darling
Region
Moab » Laurel Highway » Pre-Laurel Peak
Location Name or Route
Pre Laurel Peak and Westwoods
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Wind was visibly transporting new snow on alpine ridges into the early afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
15"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Dense, supportable powder made for some fun skiing in sheltered N and W areas below treeline. Above treeline (ATL) the snow was a challenging mix of sastrugi, wind board, and even some large graupel in recesses in the sastrugi. Some south aspects ATL were stripped clean by strong southern winds. By mid day most solar aspects were damp and will likely have variable levels of crust tomorrow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wow, I checked all the boxes except heavy snowfall, and that happened yesterday. Our collapses on NW slopes BTL were small, but actually got more prominent as the day went on and warmed up. And the big RED FLAG flying high was the D 2.5-3 natural avalanche that ran nearly full path into Horse Creek. See Travis Nauman's avalanche ob for more details.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Horse Creek avalanche N facing wind slab NTL seems to have stepped down into the PWL and triggered a much larger slide in the sleeping dragon of our awful PWL. See Travis Nauman avalanche ob.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Observed signs of wind-deposited snow on W-N-S aspects NTL and ATL. Cracking in cohesive wind slab was found in our tracks near the top of Pre Laurel and Westwoods (see photo).
Comments
It was a stellar day to carefully explore our options for enjoying the new snow. Our original objective was Gold Miners, but it warmed up earlier than expected. After another party reporting the lower slope snow getting heavy in the sun, we backed off and pivoted to Westwoods, where we fully schralpified the delicious new pow on safe slopes.
Also of note was a party of two working their way up the steep lower slopes of NE Tuk on the same aspect, elevation, and angle we had just seen slide in Horse Creek. We watched them nervously all day, hoping to not have to go on a rescue. We contacted them late in the day and they said they chose to back off, and we congratulated them for making the wise choice and coming back alive.
Finally, BIG THANKS to Eric T, USFS, and the Grand County Road Crew for getting the new snow plowed yesterday. The Geyser road would have been a giant mess today without their efforts!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates