Observation: Catherine's Pass

Observation Date

12/10/2025

Observer Name

Q Graves

Region

Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Catherine's Pass

Location Name or Route

Catherine's Pass

Red Flags

Poor Snowpack Structure

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

The snowpack was damp throughout, and I could make snowballs from each layer except the faceted bottom 10cm. HS was a dismal 55cm. Both CT and ECT tests produced results at the bottom of the graupel layer and I got an ECTP14 within the faceted bottom layer of the snowpack. Hopefully the dampness of the snow helps this layer heal up. For now, we have a slab over 10cm of well faceted snow on northerlies.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

The forecast called it - it wasn't too early to watch for wet loose avalanches on solar aspects. We saw many wet point releases and roller balls this afternoon. Look at photo #3 of the trash can-sized roller ball that trenched about 1' deep.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

9,300'

Comments

The tide is low, but it's holding on. Today felt like a cloudy spring day aside from the sun's low angle on the horizon. The surface snow was very damp and it turned into a zipper crust so skiing was quite poor later this afternoon. A layer of graupel exists in sheltered spots about 5" from the top of the snowpack. Low coverage and zipper crusts abound. Photo 1: Roller ball releases below S facing cliffs near Microwave Photo 2: Damp snow in top few centimeters of the snowpack Photo 3: Trash can-sized roller ball Photo 4: Hand hardness

Today's Observed Danger Rating

None

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

None

Coordinates

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