Join us at our 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball

Observation: Garden City Bowls

Observation Date
1/20/2025
Observer Name
Matt Barry
Region
Logan » Bear Lake » Garden City Canyon » Garden City Bowls
Location Name or Route
GC Bowls
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Cold and sunny.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
While traveling up the West/Southwest face, there was a melt-freeze crust below a dusting of snow in all but the most sheltered terrain. In isolated terrain that was not effected by the wind or sun, the snow remained soft.
The East facing bowl had variable snow conditions, from powder to wind crust.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The ridge was wind scoured on the West facing side and had loaded the East aspect. In my pit, the PWL was present but was unreactive to a Compression Test and Extended Column Test.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,600'
Slope Angle
23°
Comments
I traveled to the GC Bowls area to observe how the PWL has changed and how the cold temperatures and wind have effected the snowpack. The PWL was unreactive in my Compression Test and Extended Column Test, although it is still there. The air temperature in my location was 5 F which led to a large temperature gradient in my pit and weakening of the upper snowpack. There was clear wind loading on the East side of the ridge line with the West side being scoured in many places. I was pleased to see the PWL be unreactive and gaining strength in my snow pit, but with the weakening of the upper snowpack it makes me worried for our next storm (if it ever comes).
Photos:
1) Wind scouring on the West facing side of the ridgeline
2) Melt-freeze crust while traveling up on a West/SouthWest aspect.
3) My skis found the wind slab on the East facing terrain
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates