UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Lambs

Observation Date
1/13/2019
Observer Name
Grainger
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon » Lambs Canyon
Location Name or Route
Lamb's Canyon/Toll Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Valley inversion intensified through the afternoon while cool and clear above 7000'. Robust crop of Surface Hoar on exposed areas above 8000' due to the past days' conditions.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
The structure of this mid-elevation area has greatly improved in the last month and the earlier PWLs have strengthened with the past 2 storm cycles. Any last concern in these thinner snowpacks lies in the mid-December and early January facet layers caused by post-storm high pressure. ~8500' I dug on a NW then a NE aspect to check these layers out and found them rounded and not especially weak. The basal facet layer also strengthened and in much of the area is broken up by the prevalent shrubs and plant life.
The NW was the only notable test result, an ECTP20 RP @ 37cm down from the surface on the lower December facet layer. The NE pit (80cm HSN) showed these 2 layers 27cm and 50cm below the surface but multiple ECTXs. Here a stubborn CT29 and CT30 failed on basal facets in areas with rock (no flora) below.
.
Surface hoar made for good riding conditions in supportable areas with sufficient coverage. In isolated areas the feathered SH measured <18mm. Depending how this is preserved into Tuesday night's precipitation it could create some isolated weak layer issues once buried. I'd expect near-surface faceting on upper elevations to create structural issues with the next storm cycle.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Comments
NE-facing pit ~8500' and suspect (rounded) facet layers.
Loud powder on many slopes.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates