Observation Date
1/5/2025
Observer Name
Gagne/Johnston
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond - Cutler Ridge
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Moderate, but sustained, winds from the west above 7,500'
Riming crust north and east aspects from downslope riming event. 1 mm rime crust below 8,000' with a 2 mm crust above.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
5 cms (~2 inches) at trailhead and through North Fork Park, with up to 10 cms (~4 inches) above 7,800'
Warm temperatures Friday firmed up the existing old snow surface and combined with Saturday's dense snow, it made for excellent travel and excellent low-angled riding outside of steeper avalanche terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
We did not dig down to the PWL, but quick probes show weak snow in the bottom 30 cms of the snowpack on NW/N/NE aspects up to 8,500'
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Some wind-drifting between 7,800' - 8,500', but they were shallow pockets and mostly unreactive other than some minor cracking. East-facing slopes had the densest drifts, up to 30 cms thick.
My biggest concern with wind drifting is on slopes facing NW/N/NE aspects where the PWL exists.
Comments
Dave's 1/5 forecast verified, with Low danger at low elevations and a Moderate danger at mid-elevations. We only went as high as 8,500' so never traveled into upper-elevation terrain. No signs of natural avalanches, but we stayed clear of steep northerly facing slopes.
Photos:
- Wind effects along Cutler Ridge
- Ben Lomond Headwall where the summit was obscured
- Beautiful lighting along Cutler, with a rainbow in the moist, supercooled clouds
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates
