Observation: Providence Canyon

Observation Date
2/5/2013
Observer Name
Toby
Region
Logan
Location Name or Route
Providence Canyon
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mild temperatures, but clouds and breeze kept the snow cool.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Riding and ski conditions not all that good, with lots of tracks, sun-crusts, wind jacked snow, and fast sparkly surface hoar frosted rime-crust.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Didn't encounter any obvious signs of instability, but I found buried weak faceted snow on many slopes, especially at mid elevations. Perhaps the developing slab isn't stout enough yet? The January 8 rime-crust is less evident in this area, but I could still find it at upper elevations.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

I rode all over upper Providence Canyon and viewed lots of avalanche terrain. Tracks everywhere, and I observed no triggered or recent natural avalanches (since last week's storm). I noticed some large natural activity from last week that might have stepped into older faceted snow.As with elsewhere in the Bear River Range, dangerous avalanches remain possible in some outlying areas, especially on slopes that weren't all tracked up in early January.

Comments

My impression was of stable conditions, with no recent avalanches observed and tracks in many steep slopes. Of course this is a popular riding area, and the entire place was tracked up in January when the weak layers were forming. Potential exists for dangerous avalanches, especially in less traveled areas.

Here's a look at the Rodeo Grounds on the east side of Logan Peak. You can see that this slope, like many others in the area, was well tested by riders over the weekend....