Observation Date
12/18/2024
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Mill Creek
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Pretty mild day for the middle of December with just a few high thin clouds and light winds on the ridge from the west.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The small storm from Monday night delivered a nice 4" of medium density snow out in the Mill Creek drainage. The conditions were not all that bad considering the lack of snow this season. I did not venture off the trail all that much with the sled today, but it was a mix of somewhat supportable snow and plenty of sugary weak snow top to bottom.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I had numerous collapses today where my added weight on the slab was too much for the poor snow pack structure. I did observe one old natural avalanche on an east facing slope along the ridgeline where a cornice broke off and hit the slope below gouging into the weak snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The winds from early in the week have created a slab on much of the snowpack where I traveled today in the Mill Creek area. I had lots of cracking and collapsing today where the slab is sitting on a very weak snowpack.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
A quick dig with the shovel reveals a weak snowpack with lots of fist density sugary snow that will struggle to support added weight from future snow and wind.
Comments
Despite the thin snow cover the groomer was still able to make a pass on the north slope road and the trail today was quite nice.
Early season conditions with only about 20" or so once I got into the Mill Creek drainage. Much of the south facing terrain is very thin to no snow at all
Just some minor wind slabs along the ridgelines, these did not seem to have much energy in them.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
