Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date
12/10/2013
Observer Name
Kikkert
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Twin Lakes Pass
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Wind speed relevant to upper elevations only; not really much wind at all at Twin Lakes Pass, but large plumes could be seen on the higher ridgelines. Otherwise very nice day out.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Just out for a quick walk; basically catching up on the snowpack, as I havn't been able to get out until today. Poking around the south side of Twin Lakes and on Twin Lakes Pass, all the well known faceted layers were present. Pit just below Twin Lakes Pass on the Brighton side showed clean and energetic sheers approximately 50 cm down on the buried near surface facets from before the last two storms (See profile - ECTP, 21, Q1). Could also get some cracks on test slopes down to the same layer, see photo. Slides down to this layer are probably going to get more difficult to trigger as the slab loses energy with faceting during the high pressure, but I still wouldn't mess around, lots of rock and the ride would be nasty. I don't doubt that you could have gotten something to go easily in more windloaded terrain or on a steeper slope.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

See above.

Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,800'
Slope Angle
32°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates