Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
11/23/2025
Observer Name
Maushund
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork > Cardiac Bowl > Cardiff Pass
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Calm, clear, and cold afternoon to go walk up high. Temps were just below freezing at the trailhead, and dropped further as I gained elevation towards Cardiff Pass. The lowest I measured was 26°F at 9750' near the head of the drainage.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Traveling up Cardiff Fork from BCC, continuous snow coverage started near 8700', with 1-3 inches of loose, faceted snow. Most snow on valley bottom up to ~9000' had 2-3mm surface hoar, overlaying a thin, eggshell-like temperature crust, over varying sized facets to the ground. After peeking in towards Superior—to confirm there is continuous, well-connected snow above 10200' on N-NE aspects—I doubled back to head up Cardiff Pass. HS increased to 4-8" on northerly aspects I traveled, with pockets of HS 10" with similar spx structure.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
While not everywhere, on high northerlies above 9000', there is 4-10 inches of faceted, weak snow sitting out in large pockets, but often broken up by vegetation. On the highest north-facing slopes (10200'+) there are well-connected sheets of similar snow that are the most likely suspects for posing a future problem when the snow starts to fall.
Comments

Cardiac area/LSB area showing well-connected snow coverage on N/NNE slopes

Cardiff area showing less connected coverage, but still notable amounts of snow.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates