Observer Name
Michael Boman
Observation Date
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Avalanche Date
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill B South
Location Name or Route
Mill B South
Elevation
8,600'
Aspect
South
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Wet Loose
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Depth
12"
Width
100'
Comments
I hiked and snowshoed to above Lake Blanche Saturday morning. I began early and was surprised to see a number of vehicles already present with a number of the parties appearing to head up Broads.
My intention was to travel to the area below the cliff bands on Mill B South and even consider dropping down further and thus mainly avoiding the risk of the snow sliding down from the area above the summer trail.
While hiking and snowshoeing up trail I talked with several hikers who were doing a similar recon of the trail before proceeding up to Lake Blanche. In fact, several had passed me as I tracked up trail.
When I arrived at this area of the trail a couple was traversing immediately in front of me. I elected to cross as well surprising that I was just early enough to avoid the afternoon heat AND I wasn't seeing much snow movement in the areas around the cliff bands nor on other higher slopes around me to include those below Sundial, Dromedary, etc.
After passing this area uneventfully I snowshed to Lake Blanche in deep and difficult to navigate powder. It was amazing but definitely a challenge.
About and hour to 90 minutes after passing the cliff band area I heard the first of 4 distinct wet release or glide avalanches observing one as it broke high to the cliff bands then cascading down to the slope below. I made a mental note to make sure and check this area out on my way back.
Incidentally I had planned and did drop much lower before this area on my route down to the TH. This is the area of the "winter trail" that hasn't been utilized this winter to my knowledge.
After snowshoeing further above Lake Blanche I did return to this area to check it out. I talked with 2 different parties of hikers about the avalanche area and that I had heard it run earlier in the day. One was very surprised that I had "heard" the avalanches run. I also told them about the UAC app and at least one asked for specifics on how to obtain it.
Regarding this area overall, this avalanche was a repeater from January that had ran completely across the summer trail. I would guess that with the heat the next few days more avalanches will likely run in this area. Be safe and aware for sure.
Coordinates