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Observation: Huntington Canyon

Observation Date
1/25/2025
Observer Name
Kelly, Miller
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon
Location Name or Route
Huntington Canyon- Miller Flat
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Calm to light winds not notable in lower drainages. Skies were high clouds with breaking sun on the horizon and light snow that started around 330PM. Air temperature at nearby weather stations at 9,000' was 27°F with 1" of new snow measured since yesterday.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow surface was mostly wind crust with more wind affected snow above 9,800' in elevation and in exposed drainage bottoms.
Photo (Miller) of snow surface in Miller Flat
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
We were still finding dry facets near the ground in thinner snowpack areas on all aspects at mid and high elevations.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
We saw lots of signs of old wind-drifted snow and we found an isolated wind drift on a 28° east facing slope at 8,900' in elevation that shattered around our sleds, 4" deep and isolated to where we were traveling. From what we saw it doesn't take much new snow (1") or light winds (5-10MPH) to create wind drifts.

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
18°
Comments
Total height of snow was 5.5' (169 cm). The snowpack in this location was deep. This was representative of lower angle north facing slopes that have have not avalanched yet this season. In this snowpit we did not get any propagation with an extended column test and the layer of concern was sugary facets under wind drifted snow 12" (29cm) down from the surface. On south facing slopes directly across the drainage at the same elevation the snow depth ranged from 2'-3' with grass and sage poking through the snowpack.
Just to the east of this snowpit on the we observed a natural avalanche that had occurred sometime in the last 7-10 days and thinner snowpack areas like this will be more suspect if we add more snow and wind in the future.

Zoomed in photo of crown face
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates