Join us at our 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball

Observation: Temple Peak

Observation Date
1/2/2025
Observer Name
Richie Schumacher
Region
Logan » Temple Fork » Temple Peak
Location Name or Route
Temple Fork
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Overall, felt like a warm day. Consistent light SW breeze with gusts to moderate at upper elevations. Tops of highest peaks were obscured most of the day. Temps from my car at the TH was 37F at 0920 and 46F at 1400.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Traveled mostly on westerly slopes today. 2-5" of new snow in this area increasing with elevation (medium to heavy density with rimed stellars and graupel making up a lot of it). Minimal wind affect noted in the new snow. By the end of the day, the snow surface at low elevations was damp and skier triggered roller balls were noted at 6000' and small natural roller balls noted on the dugway paths on the way down the canyon. Overall, HS in most locations regardless of elevation was about 70cm above 6500'. Pockets of deeper snow were more common at higher elevations, but still fairly consistent and maybe reaching 100cm at best- still pretty thin with bushes and rocks poking out still. Lower elevations were great for uphill travel, and mid and upper elevations were great for downhill. Lower elevations had various crusts within the pack that tended to railroad you on the way down, while the snow in the upper and upper-mid elevations was weak with high ski and boot pens making it more difficult for uphill travel (but still containing a possible slab and weak layer).
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Had lots of cracking under skis at lower elevations in the pencil crust/ facet sandwich near the surface that the new snow fell on, but less so at mid and upper elevations. However, I did have one big booming collapse in an open area within the trees at 7300’ This was the precise elevation that the various crusts within the snowpack disappeared and the spot I triggered the collapse from was thinner than average in this area. When I dug down, it failed on the basal facets at the ground. By the end of the day, roller balls were forming at lower elevations. Basal facets were noted on all elevations on westerly aspects (less so on southerly tilted terrain and more so on northerly tilted) and provided for poor snowpack structure with collapsing, cracking, and moderate test results (CT 18 RP @6950’).
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
7,000'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments
Dug a couple hand pits at 6950' and 8000'. Overall structure was a concerning weak layer of basal facets (1-2mm and showing signs of rounding and dampening and at lower elevations with temp gradients conducive to healing) with 50-70cm of snow sitting on top. This layer produced test results at 6950' of CT 18 RP as well as a booming collapse. The snow (slab) on top was made up of various crusts/facet sandwiches at lower elevations and a 1F (base) to F (surface) slab at mid and upper elevations. Some upper elevation slopes in thin areas had a 4F basal facet layer that transitioned into F hard new snow near the surface (possible old snow got blown away before faceting?). Overall, nice skiing above 6500', but still spooked about this PWL.
Photo 1: temple peak
Photo 2: basal Facets from 6950' pit
photo 3: booming collapse location 7300'
photo 4: wood camp/ divide coverage (did not see any old slides, but did not have a scope with me)
Photo 5: riming of trees above 8300'
Photo 6: representative surface conditions of the westerly slopes around this area
photo 7: end of day roller balls
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable