Observation: Guardsman Pass area

Observation Date

12/12/2025

Observer Name

UAC Backcountry 101

Region

Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Guardsman Pass area

Location Name or Route

Guardsman Pass Environs

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Speed

Calm

Weather Comments

Calm wind speeds were observed throughout travels, including during time spent midday at Scott’s Pass.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

A melt freeze crust from previous days’ heat was present on all observed aspects and elevations. On solar aspects, this crust softened during the afternoon, but shaded terrain was not observed to have softened during the observation period.

Red Flags

Cracking

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Countless localized collapses and cracking were noted by all groups. Terrain with observed collapses ranged from 9000-9500’ and from NW to N. Solar terrain was observed to take heat during the afternoon, but other than a shallow layer of entrained snow in pole basket drag tests, no other signs of wet instability were observed.

Comments

Three parties traveled in the Guardsman Pass area for a UAC Backcountry 101 today. Combinations of observations from all three groups are included in this observation. Snow profiles on NW and N just above 9000’ dug by all three groups contained snow heights from 30-50cm. All three profiles contained still-dry, faceted snow from November in roughly the bottom 10cm of the profile, with stronger snow above. Three of the four ECTs performed featured propagation on this layer (see attached photo of ECTP12 - and poor handwriting).

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

Coordinates

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