Observation: Garden City Bowls

Observation Date
12/25/2023
Observer Name
Kelly, Kazickas
Region
Logan » Garden City Canyon » Garden City Bowls
Location Name or Route
Garden City Bowls
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Winds were blowing light increasing to moderate speeds from the north-northwest increasing throughout the tour. Temperatures were cold just above 0°F at the trailhead and increased by the time we got back to the truck.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow surface was about an inch of new snow mixed with near surface facets sitting on a pencil + hard melt-freeze crust on west facing slopes. North and east facing slopes were about an inch of new snow mixed with near surface facets on a slightly less hard crust.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,600'
Slope Angle
31°
Comments
Photo below showing the snowpit wall. Where the card is placed a couple inches below the surface is the bottom of a weak old snow interface with broken stellar crystals and older sugary snow crystals from prior to the last couple of inches of new snow. Total height was 97cm ( 3'). Snowpack is showing signs of improved stability with ECT (extended column tests) having harder results (ECTP21@0). The temperature gradients (red line in the snowpit above) show a very strong temperature gradient in the upper snowpack. We also noted sparkly near surface facets on all aspects and in the bottom photo you can see the sparkly near surface facets reflecting back at the camera. On West facing slopes these NSF were starting to deteriorate when we skied out.
Photo of snow surface showing sparkly near surface facets with Bear Lake in the background.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates