Observation: Days Fork

Observation Date
11/21/2020
Observer Name
McKinley Talty
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork
Location Name or Route
Days Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Clear, cool morning with minimal wind. Air temperature at noon was 25 F at 8,900'.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Frozen snow surface on most aspects. Surface was beginning to soften up on sunnier slopes.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments
Went up Days Fork this morning and found the trail frozen solid from the trailhead up. Stopped to dig a pit on a North facing slope at 8,895'. Height of snow was only 36 cm, and was topped off by a 2 cm-thick crust. There was also a crust at 20 cm above the ground (photo 1). The snow in between these crusts were a mixed bag of grain types, most likely undergoing some changes due to the steep temperature gradient throughout the snowpack. Some of these particles had angular corners and showed signs of faceting, which was more prominent in the snow 21 - 34 cm above the ground (photo 2).
Not much to be found in terms of good turns, although this makes for a great opportunity to practice some rescue drills.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates