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Observation: Corn Creek

Observation Date
12/22/2017
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Pahvant Range » Corn Creek
Location Name or Route
Pahvants - Corn Creek
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Calm clear day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

A deep day! Too bad there is no base. Sleds were bottoming out on dirt on occasion and hitting rocks off road.

2' at the trailhead just east of Kanosh. Possibly a bit more in the Corn Creek drainage (30" ?) a few of miles above the trailhead. Enough snow to get full size pickups stuck at the trailhead.

18" at 8,400 on the Paiute trail above Chokecherry Hollow. Looking to the east there was almost no snow on the east side of the range. This was a very limited storm, I would guess that it lacked energy/lift to dump up high.

The Pine Creek snotel is still reading high at 33" I am begriming to think that this may be correct, it is settling out correctly. Without a team of trail breakers it might be hard to find out.....

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
The major red flag in this area might be warming over the next couple of days, I did observe some damp snow in sunny areas. There is no old snow in this area, I don't think there is much hazard at the current time.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Wet snow may be possible with sunny weather the next few days. There is 2' of snow sitting on south facing aspects.

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

Based on the fact that the Pine Creek Snotel might actually be correct at 33", I would imagine the hazard to be moderate in upper elevation north aspects above 9,000 in limited areas that received the most snow (E.g. Mine Camp Peak). There is weak snow below the storm snow. It is also very brushy.

Moderate hazard. This is a guess on my part.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,400'
Slope Angle
0°
Comments

18" in this area, less than the lower elevations.

Photos below:

1. Trailhead

2. Snow profile at approx 7,500'

3 & 4. Deep snow, not me, I'm an amateur and stay on the packed trails!

Overall, sledding is limited to roads only, not enough snow or base to travel cross-country.

I would say a moderate hazard in upper elevation north-facing areas with underlaying facets.

Perhaps a moderate hazard for wet snow if we get warm sunny weather,

This is applicable in the portions of the Pahvants that got high snowfall amounts.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates