Observation: Butler Trees

Observation Date

2/8/2014

Observer Name

Erik Krause

Region

Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork » Butler Trees

Location Name or Route

Butler Trees / Circle All Peak

Weather

Sky

Obscured

Precipitation

Moderate Snowfall

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Light wind in the east facing Butler Trees, but blowing stiff (10+ mph) atop Circle All Peak. Low visibility; couldn't see Gobblers or Raymond. Continuous snowfall; maybe 1/2 inch an hour approaching midday. Mild temps made for a wet jacket from melted snow.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Snow Characteristics Comments

4" or so of graupel with another couple inches of medium density powder underneath in the Butler Trees. Quick hand pit a couple hundred feet below the ridge showed that top 6" released under four wrist taps. The rest of the snowpack wasn't moving, even after 10 taps from the elbow, granted the angle wasn't prime for a slide.

Red Flags

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Rapid Warming

Red Flags Comments

No apparent danger in the Butler Trees, which is why we were in the Butler Trees.

Snow Profile

Aspect

East

Elevation

8,600'

Today's Observed Danger Rating

High

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Extreme

Coordinates

Observation: Butler Trees

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