Observation: Monte Cristo

Observation Date
2/23/2026
Observer Name
Maushund, Lais
Region
Ogden » Monte Cristo
Location Name or Route
Monte Cristo
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
A bright blue stunner of a winter day. Temperatures were warmer than in recent days in the zone, with icicles growing off trees and refrozen snow shedding from the tops of branches.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
22"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

The Monte Cristo zone certainly has more coverage than when Nikki and I rode here about a month ago. However, what once was fresh powder from last week's series of storms is now becoming wetted and consolidating into what can only be described as 19-24 inches of wet, warm, shmoo over top the weak old snow from our dry January. Cold snow surfaces can still be found on northerly terrain. While there was primarily no pre-existing melt-freeze crust from days prior in areas we traveled, I'd expect there will be one by tomorrow morning after todays high temps and sunny skies.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We observed localized collapsing (5-8m radius) in both sheltered and unsheltered terrain we traveled.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

The Dry January Layer (DJL) is sitting beneath an increasingly consolidating and wetting 19-24 inch hefty slab of snow from last week's storms. This strong over weak structure is the recipe for avalanches, and will not be going away anytime soon.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,800'
Slope Angle
13°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates