Observation: Maybird Gulch

Observation Date
1/19/2023
Observer Name
Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Maybird Gulch
Location Name or Route
Maybird
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Moderate gusts out of the south, especially during the morning. Periods of S1 snowfall (cm/hr) in the early afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
We weren't finding any evidence of the solar crusts that some reported on Wednesday. Just lots of cold, dry powder.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Winds were working down from higher alpine regions and we felt winds down to about 9,700' with some denser, wind-blown snow. Large cornices adorning many ridgelines.
Comments
Outside of wind-affected regions, the snowpack is stable with a Low avalanche danger. We could only get minor sluffing in the snow surface on steeper slopes and the recent storm snow is completely unreactive to any stability tests. The only issue I can see is sensitive wind drifts in upper elevation terrain and the large cornices that can be found on most exposed ridgelines.
This is a great time to get after bigger objectives you've been waiting for. Stable conditions, great coverage, and awesome riding. If you do choose to pursue these bigger objectives, evaluate the slopes for recent wind drifts and watch for the large cornices that are above the entrances to many slopes. Cornices may break back much further than expected.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates