Observation: Geyser Pass

Observation Date

2/25/2026

Observer Name

Ryan Huels

Region

Moab » Geyser Pass

Location Name or Route

Geyser Pass

Weather

Sky

Broken

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

A very warm day for February with no previous night temps below freezing. Sky’s were mostly cloudy with a breeze out of the NW with temps around 40 degrees. More unseasonably warm and dry weather for the La Sals through at least the next 7 days

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Dense Loose

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

I did not make many turns as I spent the majority of my day skinning around and digging. But, what turns I did make on were straight up mush. If things do not re-freeze overnight the mash potatoes will come as leftovers tomorrow. Skiing is not great to say the least unless you enjoy that sort of thing. But, it is still beautiful out there and there is enough snow for off trail travel.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Collapsing

Rapid Warming

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Temperatures were warm and the snow was hot increasing the likelihood for loose wet slides that have the potential to step down into old layers weak layers that exist in our poor snowpack structure on W-N-E aspects. Though it may look and feel like the middle of April, digging down will reveal the snowpack is still comprised of weak faceted snow and I am not at all seeking out steep terrain anywhere or the risk of it overhead.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Layercake of weak snow throughout the snowpack on NE and W facing terrain where I dug today. Instability results on both snow pits NE and W around 10500’ with compression tests showed possibility of deep and dangerous avalanches.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

No overnight freezing and warm temps increases the likelihood for wet slides that can gouge into the snow pack taking out old weak layers. I observed a small avalanche on steep NE facing terrain at 10400’ that appeared to be relatively recent as a result of recent warming.

Snow Profile

Aspect

Northeast

Elevation

10,400'

Slope Angle

29°