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Observation: Tony Grove Area

Observation Date
12/18/2022
Observer Name
Meisenheimer / Weed
Region
Logan » Logan River » Tony Grove Area
Location Name or Route
Tony Grove Lake Area-->Mt. Magog Area--->Naomi Peak, East
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Beautiful day in the mountains with light winds, cold temperatures, and powder.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Low sun angle and cold temperatures have preserved the snow surface on almost all aspects. Travel was easy.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The common theme here in Utah is our weak layer. This layer of faceted snow can be found on almost all aspects and elevations. The thing that varies is the amount of snow that sits on top of this weak layer. On shady, low to mid-elevation slopes, the weak layer is fist hard, and the slab thickness is about 12-24" deep. We still experienced collapsing and cracking in these locations, and our pit results showed full propagation in the teens. Across the upper elevations, the slab thickness is roughly 3-5' deep. Here in these locations, the weak layer is increasing in hand hardness to about four fingers, and we were finding stubborn results in our pits. However, we are still aren't ready to trust the steep terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
As the likelihood of triggering an avalanche decrease and as the mountains trend to a Moderate avalanche danger, we must keep in mind that the consequence and avalanche problem HAS NOT changed. Before I trust the steep terrain I would like to see the following:
1. Hand hardness of the weak layer trent more to one finger.
2. A loading event where avalanches do not fail down to this layer.
3. It gets buried so deep it's hard to dig down to that layer or find it.
The good news: we are off to an amazing start here in Utah and this weak layer will heal with time and more snow. Once it heals we can have very stable avalanche conditions. I look forward to getting into the steep terrain at that point.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
23°
Comments
Mt Magog with a small loose dry avalanche. What a day.
We could see evidence of previous fairly widespread natural avalanche activity, but most of it was covered up by this week's more recent powder and drifted snow
View from Naomi Peak looking west into Christmas Tree Bowl, the Mount Naomi Wilderness boundary, and a great view of the east side of Cherry Peak.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates