Observation: Hillyard Canyon

Observation Date
12/14/2022
Observer Name
Toby Weed
Region
SE Idaho » Cub River » Hillyard Canyon
Location Name or Route
Cub River--->Hillyard Canyon Road
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Super light powder.........
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
I looked at the snow at lower and mid elevations around Willow Flats and Hillyard Canyon Road. General impressions included more December snow and less sugary November snow than I'm seeing in the central Bear River Range. The faceted November snow is shallower in the basal layers, and overlying the slab layer sits within the anchoring vegitation and ground surface rouphness. I found soft sugary snow and a couple thin layers of buried surface hoar which produced clean shears, but no propegation (ECTNs) in all of my snow pit tests.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There was lots of very light powder and some evidence of natural loose snow avalanches on steep slopes. Soft slab avalanches of storm snow might also be possible in some slopes. It would probably not be good to be exposed low on a steep slope where a natural powder avalanche might come from from above.
Comments
The deep powder fell in fairly calm conditions and stacked up nicely on the trees. I was afraid to open it up becuase you sink so deeply in soft snow when you get off the beaten path feels like you could still hit rocks pretty hard.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates