Observation: Hayden

Observation Date

11/6/2026

Observer Name

VandenBos

Region

Uintas » Hayden

Location Name or Route

Little Hayden

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Speed

Calm

Weather Comments

Afternoon WX: Clear skies, calm winds, warm temperatures in the sun.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Characteristics Comments

Lots of wet and melting snow on solar aspects. Cold, dry windboard on upper elevation shaded slopes. Multiple periods of overnight surface hoar growth. The sun is melting/wilting these crystals in many places but I was finding them preserved on many shaded slopes, even on flat, exposed ridgelines (photo 3). Snow surface is actively faceting and will likely become our next (and most widespread) weak layer to track.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Problem #1 Comments

This was initially a wind-drifted snow problem, now grading towards a PWL problem. The layer of greatest concern is immediately above the icy Hurricane Rachel surface. There is a 1-2 inch stack of small (~1-1.5mm) facets (faceting rounds) that have developed here, most of that faceting likely took place prior to burial of this layer. This layer was buried the day before Halloween, so I've been calling it the Halloween facets in my brain. In the pit pictured below, on a N aspect at 11,700', snowpack tests scored ECTN 17, ECTP 19, and ECTP 21.

This problem is found in terrain that was holding continuous snow coverage prior to the onset of the Halloween storms.

Comments

Greatest concern remains finding a stiff, aging wind slab resting on the Halloween facets. Coverage is thin and travel is tricky, lots of obstacles to navigate.

Snow surface is continuing to facet on shaded slopes - this will (likely) be the next layer of concern that we add to the mix when snowfall returns. Tracking the distribution and character of this layer will be an important focus prior to a return to stormier conditions! Hot tip: It's a great time to be taking snow coverage photos.

There is a mid-storm interface within the Halloween storm snow that appears to have formed as the cold front took over towards the end of the storm. This layer is identifiable, but subtle, when digging around in the snow, and produces clean shears.

Photos:

Halloween facets at 11,700' on N aspect
Snowpit at 11,700' on N aspect, dug a top of couloir that steepend significantly below
Multi-phase surface hoar growth on exposed ridgeline at 11,800'.

Coordinates

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