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Observation: Mill Creek

Observation Date
1/15/2021
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Mill Creek
Location Name or Route
Mill Creek
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Beautiful weather out there today, but it does not feel like January. Skies were clear with some very high clouds, calm to light winds and mild temperatures.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Despite the lack of storms, the snow conditions are not too bad with dense settled soft snow out of the wind hammered areas. However, the snow depths are only around 70-75cm or about 2.5' and many stumps and logs in the Mill Creek area.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Lots of weak faceted snow in this area, but not much of a dense slab on top, unless you are in the wind affected places. I did have some very isolated and minimal cracking around sleds and skis, but I felt the rubber band is relaxed a little but right now. Even wind drifted areas seemed non reactive and there was little to no fresh wind drifts today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
There is no lack of weak sugary snow on the ground, but the slightly denser snow on top is not enough right now to over load the poor snow structure. This is the set-up in non wind affected terrain, but where strong winds blew this week there is likely some lingering wind slabs that might be reactive to a persons weight.
Comments
The coverage out in Mill Creek is ok, but there are many logs and stumps to watch out for. It is white, but "white and lumpy".
Only about 2.5' on the ground with half of the snow pack weak sugary snow and slightly denser snow on top. The rubber band feels a little relaxed with no collapsing, but some very isolated cracking around skis and sleds.
Pretty calm winds today even where the wind is usually channeled through some terrain features. I did not observe any wind slab issues, things seem pretty glued in place where I traveled.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates