Observation Date
11/6/2026
Observer Name
Ryan Huels
Region
Moab » Gold Basin
Location Name or Route
Gold Basin
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Mountains were obscured during the drive in and cloud cover gradually decreased to scattered clouds and a warm early November sun. Winds were very calm. Cloud cover increased up high as I made my way out of Gold Basin in the late morning.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow at low elevations and on solar aspects has a melt freeze crust on the surface. Dense cold snow still exists on North facing aspects. There is a pencil hard layer about 30cm down that keeps you on the upper portion of the snowpack but it is still thin with rocks and deadfall lurking beneath
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Obvious wind loading on leeward slopes from the winds during our last storm. Warm and sunny temperatures ahead will continue to warm the snowpack.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Areas of wind drifted snow on leeward slopes above tree line
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,700'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments
Areas of wind drifted snow on leeward slopes above tree line
4F snow at the base of the snowpack at 10700’ on a NE aspect is formable into a snowball
And a look around the various aspects and conditions in Gold Basin
Coordinates
Snow Pilot URL
