Observation: Steam Mill #3 Trees

Observation Date

2/5/2026

Observer Name

Pagnucco, Weed

Region

Logan » Franklin Basin » Steep Hollow » Steam Mill #3 Trees

Location Name or Route

Steep Hollow Low

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

East

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Way too warm even up high and in the shade.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Hoping for some powder-like snow, we were disappointed to find that the soft recrystallized snow was damp and somewhat sticky even in the dark forest. We kicked off several roller-ball swarms on steep slopes in the trees on a northwest-facing slope in Steep Hollow.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Rapid Warming

Red Flags Comments

Rapidly warming temperatures and natural avalanches on similar slopes are red flags indicating potential for more wet avalanches. Temperatures were around 50 degrees for several hours during the day at the nearby Tony Grove Snotel at 8400'.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

We could see a couple of fresh wet point-release (loose) avalanches. One likely occurred this morning in Upper Steam Mill Canyon and was fairly sizable.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

7,400'

Slope Angle

17°

Comments

The warmth is certainly affecting the weak surface snow that developed during the recent prolonged snow drought... A melt-freeze crust will likely cap the weak snow in many places, probably making the weak snow less reactive with initial loading events, but also allowing a slab layer to build up, and adding to the complexity of our future avalanche forecasts...

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

Coordinates

Snow Pilot URL

https://snowpilot.org/node/80220

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