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Observation: Snake Creek

Observation Date
12/9/2014
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Snake Creek Pass
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek from Brighton
Weather
Weather Comments
Warm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow pack is rotting away. Surface Hoar on most aspects including the ungroomed ski runs. Surface Hoar on flat and sheltered areas over 5mm and 2" deep. Finer grained on steeper slopes. Slippery trail breaking. Facet sluffing starts at slope angles in the upper 30's (37+ or so). Enough to knock you over.

Some areas are faceted and soft to the ground.

Some south aspects are approaching corn.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
While the mid and basal pack is strengthening, the next concern will be the weak upper surface on most aspects located on the north 1/2 of the compass. hopefully the next storm comes in warm and windy.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Facet sluffing today, Enough to knock you over if not paying attention. Sluffs were not and entraining additional snow in the horizontal plane.

Low hazard.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Still possible but unlikely in most areas.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments

ECT took a lot of weight to break. Basal facets have gained a lot of strength in the last week. They were dry in this area last week.

Snow pack is thinner in this area than I expected. 60 or so cm's vs 80-85 in Dry Creek on the back side of Supreme/East Castle/

Photo: Surface hoar on northeast slope@9800'

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low