Observation: Wolf Creek Pass

Observation Date

12/24/2025

Observer Name

N Sievers

Region

Uintas » Wolf Creek Pass

Location Name or Route

Wolf Creek Pass

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Skies started overcast, with prefrontal winds pushing moderate gusting strong speeds from the S/SW along ridgelines and within exposed treeline locations. Wind speeds were able to activate light snow transport along ridgelines, depositing settled snow from windward aspects onto sheltered leeward terrain. Our first pulse of precipitation for the holiday week arrived at 2:00pm within the Wolf Creek Pass area at S-1 rates, with skies veering to obscured. FAFL hovered 9500ft, with light snowfall above 9000ft and light rain below to about 7000ft.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Dense Loose

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Within the Wolf Creek Pass area, recent 12/19-20 storm snow has gone through multiple days of warm temperatures, turning moist alongside moderate settlement across sheltered terrain facing north. Old snow surfaces provided inconsistent travel, supportable at times and unstable underfoot at others. No cracking or collapsing observed during my travels. Fair to good coverage was observed across the northern half of the compass above 9000ft. The southern half (SW-SE) of the compass 9000-10000ft is variable, with thinner coverage and ground cover still exposed in many locations. East-facing aspects between 9000-10000ft blur the line between these two coverage differences, with previous wind loading present at ridgelines.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

As noted above, light snow transport was observed through the afternoon, depositing old snow onto Northern facing aspects at and near treeline. Poor snow structure continues to persist along the Northern Half of the compass - with the avalanche forecast continuing to verify. Precipitation through this weekend will add more water to an already sensitive weak layer, and may some tip scales.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

Unsupportable and punchy snow surfaces were observed along my uphill travels, with recent settled storm snow resting above our well-documented basal facets/PWL. A few hasty hand pits confirmed the forecasted snow structure along the northern half of the compass for today. A more in-depth snowpit (below) revealed its predictable nature.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Problem #2 Comments

Although snow transport was active, loading rates were light and did not appear to be actively building slabs above aforementioned weak layer. I did not encounter any wind slabs or sensitive surface snow along my travels - however the hint of what's possible to come was evident as our storm rolled in.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

9,800'

Slope Angle

21°

Comments

Went for a wander within the Wolf Creek Pass area to practice some skills and verify snow/rain line for this upcoming pulse of rain/snow/snot. FAFL hovered around 9500ft, with snow falling at and above 9000ft, with rain below. Even without gleaming red flags such as cracking or collapsing - One could sniff out the snow structure on the north half of the compass simply by stepping off your skis, probing around or putting your shovel into the snow. No matter how I sliced it in my snowpit, test results were consistent and support the looming PWL issue we are under. More water and snow this week atop our PWL will be worth monitoring.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

None

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

None

Coordinates

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