Observation: Mary Ellen

Observation Date
3/15/2026
Observer Name
Zimmerman-Wall
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery » Mary Ellen
Location Name or Route
Sinner's Pass/Mary Ellen Gulch
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
The temp at 11,000' at 11am was 10F. The wind remained a constant companion and could still find snow to move along the highest ridgelines and in open terrain.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Notable variation across terrain visited. In the open terrain there were raised tracks, wind sculpted rolls, and completely scoured down to a surface resembling ice (sand blasted and then flash frozen. Punchy wind board could be found in many areas.

A signifiant amount of debris on the snow surface was found in the near treeline terrain and only occaisonally could we find a soft patch of wind blown snow to make it worth the effort.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

A relatively weaker layer (January Dry Layer of facets) was found over 1 meter down. It did not react in tests, and appeared to be rounding.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
11°
Comments

Pagan Basin and Mary Ellen gulch both had a variety of firm surfaces conditions, from melt freeze crust to wind blasted.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates