Observation: Naomi Trail

Observation Date
12/24/2015
Observer Name
Weed
Region
Logan » Logan River » Tony Grove » Naomi Trail
Location Name or Route
Naomi Trail Area
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cold, especially where wind chilled. I hiked with puffy coat on.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4'
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Sinking in to deeply. Trail breaking difficult on skis and sled. Talked to a couple people who had done some significant sled damage hitting rocks buried loosely and obscured by the fresh powder..

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Could see evidence of fresh and older, filled in natural activity..... No other obvious signs of instability apparent.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Looked like a few good natural persistent slab avalanches from early on in the storm, but the evidence is now deeply buried and blown in by a couple feet of powder and significant continued drifting...

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

I saw a recent wind slab avalanche and obvious drifting occurring from south winds.

Comments

Wind drifting from south winds certainly a factor on Cornice Ridge.... All of a sudden there's good coverage in the rocky terrain west of Tony Grove Lake...

Fresh avalanche activity involved new snow. I could see shallow wind slab avalanches and loose surface sluffs in steep terrain...

Evidence of good sized natural persistent slab activity from early in the storm exists, but it's deeply buried and obscured by a couple feet of powder and drifting.

The powder is so deep that it's hard to travel through. The deep snow appears to be keeping most folks out of trouble. There are great riding opportunities in the meadows and lower angled terrain away from and out from under dangerous steep drifted slopes.

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