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Observation: Mineral Fork

Observation Date
3/6/2024
Observer Name
Meisenheimer / Tremper / Maxwell
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork
Location Name or Route
Mineral Fork
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Wonderful day to be in the hills. Spring in the Wasatch is a special place. Playing cat and mouse with the sun and clouds for much of the day. Around 2:00 PM we had a small storm roll through, leaving behind an inch of fluff up high.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Soft settled powder on slopes with a northerly aspect. Sunny aspects took in some heat, and there will be a zipper crust up to 9,000' on SE. At 7,500' the snow because very wet and damp. Roller balls on steeps. Spring is here!
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
None. Stable spring riding.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
This was the only problem on my mind for the day. We looked for wind-affected snow and found none. Ridgeline was soft powder. I am sure there would be more wind higher up (we only made 9,200'), and I would be looking for rounded pillow snow or shallow soft slabs. Looking into Mill B and Broads Fork, big lines were being skied with no issues.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments
It's March. The sun is strong. Wet snow will be an issue anytime the sun comes out now. Steep slopes warmed to roller balls. Nothing bigger.
Comments
Good to spend the day with my Dad, Bruce Tremper, and Maxwell. It's fantastic seeing Bruce enjoy some avalanche terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates