Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!

Observation: Franklin Basin

Observation Date
3/9/2023
Observer Name
weed, pagnucco
Region
Logan » Beaver Mountain Backcountry » Franklin Basin
Location Name or Route
Beaver Backcountry, Franklin Basin, Burnt Forest
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Well over a foot of fresh light powder became damp and sticky in the early afternoon on sunny slopes and a bit crusty on easterly facing slopes.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
7,900'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
We stayed in terrain less steep than about 30° and found pretty good powder conditions. Breaking trail in the deep new snow was a bit of a challenge. Thankfully, Paige did most of the work. The new snow had already settled quite a bit in a few hours based on the settlement cones around the young aspens. Rapid settlement is often associated with increasing stability. There was fairly widespread evidence of small soft slab and loose avalanches of storm snow...
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates