Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Wolf Creek

Observation Date
11/12/2023
Observer Name
Wessler
Region
Uintas » Wolf Creek
Location Name or Route
Wolf Creek Peak/Duchesne Ridge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Clear skies with daytime highs barely pushing 40 in the parking lot. Given most areas with snow left are norths well shaded from solar and little change in day over day temps forecast until the arrival of the next storm system, facet factory remains in operation...
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Bare ground around most of the compass at all elevations except for NNW-NE holding snow above ~9600'. Unsupportable 2-5 mm facets, the kind that look and sound like a pile of broken glass, compose nearly the entirety of the remaining snowpack with no crust to be found in the immediate area - some signs that any crust that was previously present has decomposed.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
Steep shaded tree zones will likely pose the greatest threat once new snow and eventual slab join the party. Even on N the more exposed slopes are nearly bare.
Comments
Skunked on the usual early season trip out just to poke around Wolf Creek and the ridge. While the N facing terrain south of the road holds snow, travel by ski difficult and frustrating in most areas, with the sled routes being the best option, somewhat filled in and packed down. Eventually opted to travel by foot. Never a bad day out in the mountains, but no real skiing to be had just yet.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates