Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date

3/9/2026

Observer Name

Berg

Region

Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge

Location Name or Route

Cutler Ridge

Weather

Sky

Scattered

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Morning temperatures stayed cooler than expected with help from moderate SW winds turning strong at times on exposed ridgelines. Rolling clouds helped keep heating in check.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Superficial refreeze occurred all the way down to the trailhead but was gone by midmorning. Snow surfaces on all aspects and elevations seems to have taken on heat except for some sheltered upper elevation northerly slopes where you can still find several soft turns. Hardly any travelable surfaces below 6500' - admission requires a mile walk before you hit snow.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Rapid Warming

Red Flags Comments

Moderate to strong SW winds on the ridgeline transported snow onto leeward slopes but did not observe any significant recent loading. Around 12 during my exit clouds started to part and heat up slopes more significantly.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

Several strong rain and melt freeze crusts sit atop the DJL across most of the upper elevation aspects. Still a concerning structure over the January facets but it is showing signs of healing and seems more unlikely to be triggered. I would still be cautious with this problem in steeper and thinner terrain, and terrain that has avalanched previously.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Obvious drifts off of the ridgelines were easy to navigate. Existing drifts were dense and not sensitive to skis. Strong SW winds in the morning were moving and blowing snow around erratically at times but limited snow available to transport prevented larger drifts from forming. Forecasted warm temps should help lock down these drifts this week.

Snow Profile