Observation: Wilson Chutes

Observation Date
12/10/2014
Observer Name
White, Kobernik
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Wilson Fork » Wilson Chutes
Location Name or Route
Wilson Chutes, Wilson Glade
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Same as always, calm and warm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

The surface snow in both the NE facing chutes and the N facing Glade was faceted with a layer of graupel capping it off. South facing was damp or dirt. Lower elevation exit out Millcreek went from breakable crust, to a complete sheet of ice on the road out.

Comments

Wanted to get into Wilson before the storm to see what kind of coverage was in Millcreek and also the degree of surface faceting in the area. Unlike Sunday did not note any surface hoar growing anywhere, but the surface of the snow is faceting out quickly and in thinner areas the whole pack is faceted. Sand boxing and slipping while breaking trail was the theme of the day which is a unmistakable sign of near surface faceting, but the riding has improved with the break down of wind crusted snow. We noted 1 to 2ft of snow in the area, Both the Chutes and the Glade were supportable but the shady N facing Glade seemed to be breaking down faster than the NE facing chutes. Graupel was rolling down the slopes and pooling in lower angle terrain, actually some of the strangest graupel pooling I've seen there were sluffs of graupel everywhere. Photos, coverage in the Wilson Chutes, pools of graupel in lower angle terrain, supportable and soft riding, Dirt going up Buttler, ice sheet on the exit

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