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Observation: Mirror Lake Highway

Observation Date
12/29/2021
Observer Name
Mark Staples
Region
Uintas » Mirror Lake Highway
Location Name or Route
Mirror Lake Highway - East of Trial Lake
Weather
Weather Comments
Very cold! Long distance visibility ended around noon. Light snowfall started around 3pm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
About a foot of setttled powder.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Obivious signs of instability are not "in your face" as much now. I couldn't get any collapsing or cracking. I'm confident that there was a widespread avalanche cycle at some point during the Christmas storm, but those slides have been buried by subsequent snowfall and wind blown snow. Also the snowpack is very supportable (great for the riding) so it's getting harder to impact the weak layer near the ground and trigger collapses or avalanches.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
I was looking for PWL on W and SE facing slopes, and I found it. This layer will heal in the future becuase it has such a thick blanket of snow on top of it now.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There are many obvious difts....especially near Bald Mtn Pass and Lilly lake where the wind always blows. HOWEVER, the tricky part is that recent snow has camouflaged many less obvious drifts. They should be bonding to the underlying snow very soon. The main problem with wind deposited snow is that it is adding extra weight and stress to the PWL near the ground.
Comments
Below is my pit from a west facing slope near treeline
Below is my pit from a southeast facing slope near treeline.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates