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Observation: Electric Lake

Observation Date
3/17/2025
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Electric Lake
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Warm and very little wind until mid-afternoon. Weak sun between about 12:30 P.M. and 2 P.M. Otherwise full clouds, no shadows.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Everything we encountered today from east northeast through southwest had a crust. Breakable crust on northeast facing, loud firm crust on east facing. At 9,500 feet on north facing in the trees, just a bit of medium density snow. Same elevation on NW facing was damp. A firm surface about 10 inches to 12 inches down. Damp skin track made for a lot of buildup under foot.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
Felt one large collapse at 9,400 feet on a narrow north ridge. Saw a very small crown at 9,450 feet on a 35 degree NE facing slope in Electric Lake corner. There were some snowmobile tracks just below it. Remotely triggered? Natural? I don't know.
Comments
Don't expect many will be out in the winds Tuesday. Would expect Wednesday to be a very active day if the snow and winds come in as predicted on Tuesday. South and East facing will have a slick crust. Doubt the new snow will bond well. Wind loading will be certain. I assume the weight of the new snow plus a trigger could cause a slide on the north through east faces to step down into the weekend's snow.
Photos show crust on east facing slope at 9,300 feet, a small crown at 9,450 NE and damp snow stacking up under foot.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable