Observation: Mirror Lake Environs

Observation Date

2/26/2026

Observer Name

Kelly, Kelly

Region

Uintas » Mirror Lake Environs

Location Name or Route

Mirror Lake

Weather

Sky

Broken

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Moderate to strong westerly winds with overcast skies and flat light to start the day. Clouds broke apart and we saw some sun later in the afternoon. Temps were below freezing at the higher elevations and 41°F back at the trailhead.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Wind Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow surface was soft at higher elevations above 10,000' and wind-drifted close to treeline and on the ridgelines. Lower elevation terrain was melt-freeze to start the day and warmed up and became damp.

We observed some recent cornice growth on north facing slopes at 10,600' that did not have an avalanche (photo 1) when we went north, but when we came back around it had a small snowmobiler triggered wind-drifted snow avalanche that in this location was not big enough to bury anyone (photo 2).

_________________________

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Poor Snowpack Structure

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Problem #1 Comments

We observed a wind-drifted snow avalanche on south facing Bald Mountain.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Problem #2 Comments

We dug a quick pit on a southeast facing slope near Reids Peak @ 10,200' and found just over four feet of snow (130cm) with 8 distinctive melt freeze crusts and damp facets near the ground. We found the same damp facets near the ground in a quick hand pit on an east facing slope at 9,200'.

Comments

Today, we avoided steep slopes and stuck to lower angle meadows and tree riding. The video below shows wind-drifting on Baldy Mountain. It was spin drifting down on the south and east facing slopes above treeline. It also shows an avalanche on south facing Baldy Mountain near 11,100'.

Video

Coordinates

Learn More

Get the Training

Reading a Forecast

Help the Community

Upcoming Events

Observations & Avalanches