UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Mary Ellen Gulch

Observation Date
1/26/2025
Observer Name
Zimmerman-Wall/BE/Conigliaro
Region
Provo » American Fork » Mary Ellen Gulch
Location Name or Route
Mary Ellen Gulch
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Stunner. The winds backed right off and the air was calm in the Mary Ellen drainage. Air temp measured in the shade at 9700' at 11:15 am was -5C. The clouds came and went with periods of Scattered transitioning to Few. You could feel the sun on dark clothing.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
As the day wore on, the SE-S-SW began to change and become damp. The MFcr from the days prior had a bit of a rebounding effect and the new snow sluffed easily on steeper slopes. Hard, slick windboard was present in many places from the wind event last week and the new snow moved with skier provacation. In the shadows on the northlery facing terrain, it was chilly at 2pm. This kept the snow surface quality intact in NW-N-NE facing terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
During our tour from 930am-230pm, the main signs of instability were point release (dry loose) that naturally occurred around rocks and trees. On ridgelines or gully walls, this was easily triggered with skis (touchy) and would run until the slope angles lessened to <30 degrees.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Plenty of dry loose on all aspects and elevations above 8900' in terrain visited. However, no slab avalanches were noted.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
We could find plenty of interesting textures across the drainage covered by a uniform 6" blanket of new low density snow. This gave the surfaces a very undulated look and it was quite interesting. In the alpine terrain of Outhouse Run, Silver Creek Bowl, and off the back of the AF East Twin, you could see how the wind had done its work. We did find some slick windboard in places in the lower drainage but nothing cracked or collapsed under our skis.
Comments
First time back here this season. Walking up the long glacial ramps you could feel the heat, and the snow went from dry to damp on ESE and S. Low angle held very good to excellent quality turns. The heli skiers in the area got their moneys worth and I was amazed by the lack of sluffing off their turns in steeper terrain.
1. Silver Creek Bowl Wind Texture
2. Outhouse Run and Outhouse Chutes Wind Texture
3. Skier triggered Dry Loose on east facing wall of gully feature below Sinner's Pass South in Mary Ellen.
4. Snow profile on northeast facing ramp mid drainage. Looking as good I have seen in a while. CT results at new snow interface and at older 1/18 near surface facets.
5. Natural Point release below SW Miller Hill
6. Skier triggered Dry Loose on steep north facing terrain above Pagan Basin
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates