Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Ant Knolls

Observation Date
2/24/2025
Observer Name
Hardesty and Champion
Region
Provo » Snake Creek » Ant Knolls
Location Name or Route
Ant Knolls - Mineral Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Beautiful. Warm. Sunny day. Alta Collins ast 9600' reached 41°F at 2pm after a marginal refreeze Sunday night.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Travel today was Alta Supreme and down Dry Fork, then ascending a westerly ridge to look at Saturday's very close call in the Ant Knolls. Additional info added to this report.
Sunday's warm temps and green housing damaged some low to near mid elevation northerly slopes with frozen chicken heads and a zipper crust present today in shaded terrain. Today's clear skies and rapid warmth further damaged the solars with damp powder becoming unstable by mid-morning.
The only cold snow or powder is likely isolated to true north, and shaded upper elevation slopes.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Today's clear skies and rapid warmth led to damp powder becoming unstable by mid-morning. We noted both size 1 to size 1.5 natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches on solar aspects with push-alanches a concern in some terrain.
Larger slab avalanche below mineral basin
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
No time for snow profiles today. Ski and sled tracks were observed on many aspects and elevations in Dry Fork and lower Mineral Basin over the weekend without incident. However, the avalanche we investigated appeared to have failed on facets near the ground.
No wind transport was noted today, with light to moderate winds even along ridgelines. By the time we were skiing out around 4 p.m., the skies were darkening, and wind speeds seemed to be increasing. Cornices loomed large and would likely be tender with the warm temps.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates