UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Pole Line Pass

Observation Date
2/15/2024
Observer Name
Davis, Staples, Champion, Kelly
Region
Provo » Snake Creek » Pole Line Pass
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek-Ant Knolls-Dry Fork
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Skies were anywhere from foggy to clear. Winds were blowing moderate to strong from the west-northwest on the ridgetops. Snowfall was anywhere from no snowfall to over 1" an hour midday. When the sun came out it was warm and immediately warmed the snow surface.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Great snow conditions. 18" of soft snow on top of a crust that you could only feel when you stepped off your machine or stuck your shovel in the ground. Overall felt like 3'+ of new snow over a much stiffer melt-freeze crust that you weren't feeling while travelling.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
We observed a number of recent avalanches failing on a density change within the new snow. They were soft slab avalanches 9-12" deep. We also observed active wind-loading off the highest ridgetops and periods of heavy snowfall.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Travel was above Snake Creek and the head of American Fork Canyon. Mostly, we saw avalanches breaking in a density change in the new snow; HOWEVER, we also triggered an avalanche on small facets just above an ice crust. This concerns us, as this type of instability can last much longer. This weak layer was capped by 2-4" of snow on Valentine's Day. We suspect it will only be a problem where it rests on top of an ice crust, which could be on west, east, and south aspects. Another layer, which hasn't been an issue, is just under the early February snow. We'll keep looking for these layers to see how widespread they are and how long they last. For now, it's worth digging about 3 feet deep and testing these layers. A bad test result is all you need to change plans. A good test result means you should keep looking.”
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments
This snowpit had similar structure to an area nearby where we were able to trigger an avalanche on a 40 ° slope.
Easy sluffing within the new snow.
ECTP3 and ECTP20 on a SE at 8890'
Avalanche triggered while digging pit - See full avalanche report HERE
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates