UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Notch Mountain

Observation Date
4/7/2022
Observer Name
Staples & Champion
Region
Uintas » Notch Mountain
Location Name or Route
Notch Mtn
Weather
Weather Comments
Nice breeze kept things cool but wasn't windy
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
New snow from early this week was about 4-5 inches of settled snow. It was damp on most aspects, and was almost corn snow on south aspects
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Fresh slabs of wind drifted snow were our main concern from snow on Tues/Wed and strong winds. Those winds definitely scoured and drifted snow but didn't really form any thick pillows. Most wind slabs were shallow and seemed glued into place. I bet you could find one or two that would slide, but that's always the case.
Comments
We went to a spot just north of Reids Peak where I was 2 weeks ago to look at the PWL of buried facets. This location is on where the weak layer has been preserved the best (N facing, 10,200 in open trees). It is buried about a foot and a half deep (50 cm). Overall it has changed a lot from very warm weather (~March 27) and subsequnt refreezes. This layer is still dry and has some faceting but it is rounding and has increased in hardness (4F+).
2 weeks ago we got a collapse in this area and extended column tests broke with scores as low as 0. We also triggered some small road cut banks. Today it took repeated hard taps from the shoulder (ECTP26) for the column to break.
This layer still exists and can still propagate a crack (PST 40/100 end). It is covered by several ice crusts and hard snow. At higher elevations this weak layer is mostly non-existent. At lower elevations it has been subjected to such warm temps. There is a narrow area of elevation and aspect where it is preserved. For now, it needs a heavy load of new snow to provide enough stress to overcome it's increased strength to see avalanches on it.
Third photo below shows steep, rocky south facing terrain on Scout Peak (Mt Marsell looks the same) that has nearly melted out. Other south faces that don't get stripped by winds as much still have snow.
The Mirror Lake Highway is starting to melt out. From the Soapstone parking area to the turn to Spring Canyon, there are occasional intermittent patches of bare pavement.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates