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Observation: Lackawaxen Lake

Observation Date
12/12/2020
Observer Name
MP
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Claytons » Lackawaxen Lake
Location Name or Route
Lackawaxen Lake
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The new light density snow was running today. Saw sluffing off my turns on sub 30° terrain, anything steeper and it ran pretty far and fast. 10420 ridge line was forming small wind drifts that would crack as I skinned through them. Same thing observed on Scotts hill. No propagation, just cracking locally around my skis.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Facets observed on the ground everywhere I looked today.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,000'
Comments
Could not isolate a column. The new snow just fell apart, not enough cohesion. I could not get it to stay together for a shovel tilt test either. First photo is of the local cracking around my skis on Scotts hill. Second photo shows my skin track filled in with wind drifted snow in about 30 min.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate