Observation: Big Drift/Skyline Summit

Observation Date

2/28/2026

Observer Name

Magerl

Region

Skyline » Scofield Reservoir » Gooseberry Creek » Big Drift/Skyline Summit

Location Name or Route

Big Drift

Weather

Weather Comments

Mostly cloudy, light wind at 4-8 mph, very warm with the temperature up to 42. Sun broke out briefly from 3 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Melt-Freeze Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Very stout 8 cm crust. Hardest I have ever encountered, challenging to punch through with a shovel. At 2 P.M. we were watching sleds travel across north, northeast and east facing slopes at 9,600 feet and barely leaving a trace. The temperature was 42 at the time. Very rare to see anything breaking through the surface, except for sledders intentionally tipping the sled, punching through and spinning the track to throw snow on the tunnel (chainsawing) to cool the machine. The snow was bulletproof, and nothing was going to scratch snow up under the seat otherwise. For those who understand Nordic skate ski crust cruising, today was all-time best conditions of the past 20 years. Smooth, fast and all-day supportable.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Red Flags Comments

Saw debris under cornices, but have to assume it was all predating the recent rain and freeze. Saw no fresh snow movement, no wind transport, no cracking, no collapsing. There was no thaw today up high, despite the warm temperatures and brief full sun exposure.

Comments

Dug a pit on north facing at 9,600 feet. It was in a drifted location, so total depth was 180 cm. Quite the chore to break the crust, with repeated hard shovel thrusts needed to crack the top layer. After getting past the 8 cm very hard crust, there was a thin weak layer and then the snow was a consistent 1F for the next 95 cm. There was a weak layer at 75 cm from the ground. Did not find weak snow the rest of the way to the ground.

Photos show the stout crust, the weak layer just below the crust, the weak layer 75 cm from ground (105 cm down) and the very slight tracks left by a sled at 2 P.M. in 42 degree temps.

Video

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1169218145

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

Observation: Big Drift/Skyline Summit

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