Join us at our 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball

Observation: Mineral Fork

Observation Date
1/28/2025
Observer Name
W. Shirey
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork
Location Name or Route
Mineral Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
I started up a little later than I would have liked but it was welcomed because it was a cold morning. The sun was heating things up in the afternoon, luckily the ambient temperature was still pretty chilly. I think most aspects apart from true solars are holding up pretty well for the time being. I skied east and north and I found dense powderish turns. Along the ridgeline, I found a sand box on rocks. I dug one pit and didn't see anything revelutionary. PWL was strong but brittle with a healthy homagenous snowpack on top. ECTX and then I pried the column out and it finally fractured in the facets 30 cm from the ground.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I came across a recent avalanche near the ridgline. It appreared to be a skier triggered pocket ~30' wide and ran 30'. I suspect it was triggered in the last 24 hours and nothing consequential but still would have scared me pretty good.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates