Observation: Gold Hill

Observation Date
4/12/2024
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Gold Hill
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Pretty mild start to the day with temps around freezing in southwest Wyoming and at the trailhead already in the low 40's at 9:30am. Just a few clouds with more rolling in as the day went on and the winds were gusty on the ridge line and even breezy down low.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Fairly typical spring snow conditions today with a shallow surface freeze that softened pretty quickly this morning and mostly damp snow around the compass. There are some very thin slivers of dry cold snow on high protected true north facing slopes. Supportable spring snow offered nice riding and turning even beyond the mid day time frame with the south wind keeping any major wet issues in check where I traveled in Gold Hill.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No major red flags observed even with the warm temperatures, the brisk south winds kept the wet problems in check.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
I was finding great spring snow conditions in the Gold Hill area, the trail riding is a little rough, but nice supportable snow and the coverage is very good. I did not find any problems moving around today, the wet snow was generally behaved with just some roller balls on steeper terrain as the warm sun heated up more of the north facing terrain. I did not stay out too long this afternoon.
Comments
The conditions are holding up pretty well so far, the access from the north slope trail head is still good and just a few small patches of pavement are beginning to pop up on the highway.
There are a few slivers of cold dry snow on north facing slopes, but any subtle change in aspect and the snow quickly turns to either damp or a melt freeze crust.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates