Observation: Whitney Basin

Observation Date

4/22/2017

Observer Name

Ted Scroggin

Region

Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Whitney Basin

Location Name or Route

Whitney Basin

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

Southeast

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Stellar day out in the Uintas with clear skies, fresh snow and great riding and turning. There were a number of people out today with roughly twenty vehicles parked up and down the Mirror Lake Hwy.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Cold dry snow early this morning with about 8" from the Thursday and Friday storm. South and east facing slopes were getting damp and unstable with minor wet loose sluffs around mid morning. The high north facing terrain had nice cold fresh snow that rode great into the afternoon. Not too warm today, so conditions did not get out of hand with wet issues.

Red Flags

Red Flags Comments

No noteable red flags other than the warm up and new snow getting it's first hit of direct sun.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

Very minor wet issues in our travels, a few natural point release wet sluffs on east through south facing slopes, but not getting out of hand.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Really not much in the way of reactive wind drifts, very minor cracking of shallow wind drifting snow along the high ridge lines.

Comments

1. Spring time riding, following the snow line as it moves up the highway. 2. Nice early morning riding with about 8" of fresh medium density snow in the Whitney Basin.

East through south facing slopes had minor natural wet loose sluffs. A slight southeast breeze kept the wet activity to a minimum.

On the high north facing slopes, it stayed cool with the frosted trees and very nice cold powder like snow.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Low

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

Learn More

Take a Class

How To

Help the Community

Upcoming Events

Observations & Avalanches