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Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
12/19/2015
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Hwy 150- Steiner, Lofty Peak
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Mild start to the day, but the winds were moderate to strong throughout the day even in the low elevation terrain.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The rain/rime crust was not too thick in the Lofty, Steiner area today, but the trail breaking conditions continue to be quite a work out. I noticed many sled tracks that punched down into the dirt and rocks just trying to get around on the flats. The upper elevation terrain has some very weak snow with supportable snow one minute and bottomless faceted snow the next.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The strong southwest winds today were finding enough snow to move around and continue to overload the already weak snow on north through east facing slopes.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
I did not observe much in the way of recent avalanche activity in this area, but with the overall weak snow pack and strong winds that this terrain gets, the breaking point might be close?
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
No shortage of wind today in the high terrain and many of the high peaks are scoured clean. Much of the area is still not real connected and any wind slabs are likely to be pockety and few if any people are geting into this terrain right now.
Comments
1. Took this photo on my way up the highway of a loose surface sluff that gouged down into the weak sugary snow near the ground. 2. Some nice surface hoar today that the winds will likely destroy with the approaching storm.
The high elevation terrain around Camp Steiner and Lofty Peak have seen plenty of wind lately and the snow cover is still not real connected. An avalanche up here would be pockety, but what an ugly nasty ride through rocks and trees. I would say a considerable hazard in this type of terrain, but very few people would be accessing this type of area.
This was the first real busy day of the season at the trailhead, with lots of riders anxious to get out and ride.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate