Observation: Guardsman Pass area

Observation Date

12/9/2025

Observer Name

Hardesty

Region

Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Guardsman Pass area

Location Name or Route

Guardsman Pass

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Warm and windy. Overcast. The Brighton snotel site just around the corner at elevation 8765' had a daytime high of 39*F. https://www.weather.gov/wrh/timeseries?site=BRIU1&hourly=true - Despite moderate to strong winds, I didn't note any blowing and drifting snow.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Density

High

Snow Surface Conditions

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Damp, thick, supportable, and surfy on all aspects; surface snow on the northerly aspects are damp at least to 9700'. One can make a snowball with this surface snow and I suspect that any recently developed sharp edges on the surface (faceting) have started to round off. Plenty of time to swing the other way, though.

Southerly aspects are patchy and brown...and will only become more patchy and brown with the forecast very warm temperatures and no reliable storms on the horizon....

Red Flags

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Only noted poor structure today. I didn't experience any cracking or collapsing.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Poor structure with ECTN 19&21 and ECTP21 and a GROM Score of 4 at my snow pit at 9700'. Photos below tell the tale.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Although the northwest winds have been relentless, I imagine (time and warm temps) most of these soft and hard slabs of wind drifted snow have become stubborn and difficult to trigger. Cornice lip and wind drifts on the southeast face of Tri-County Peak.

Snow Profile

Aspect

Northeast

Elevation

9,700'

Comments

Faceted grains noted down as low as 8900' on a northerly facing aspect. These facets sit uncomfortably over a hard basal melt freeze crust. Note second profile.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

Coordinates

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