Observation: 10420

Observation Date
4/2/2026
Observer Name
Davis, Geisler
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
10420
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Sky was mostly obscured although we had moments of more clear viz along. Snowfall ranged from S1 to S4 and winds sustained moderate with strong gusts on the ridgeline.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
15"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Around 6" of new snow on the empire pass side where we started. Climbing the ridge to 10420 we found 12''-15'' of new snow. The old snow surface was gray, damp, melt forms and was generally bonded well to the new snow. There was thin, F+ hard crust in the bottom couple inches of storm snow likely from yesterday's period of sun/greenhousing. Failures in handpits were mostly on graupel/density change within today's storm.

Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
localized cracking to the skier
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

the ridgeline we were on was fairly shelter from NWerlies so we didnt see much wind loading

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

could see these failing in the near-term on the graupel/density change midway in the storm snow.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate