Observation: Snake Creek

Observation Date

12/27/2025

Observer Name

Region

Provo » Snake Creek

Location Name or Route

Snake Creek

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Upper 20's at 8k all day long and cooler at higher elevations. Sporadic snow squalls of S-1; There was a high PI burst between 0600 ad 0800 that was at least S5 if not more. WNW winds were sustained Moderate with higher gusts (see photo) and brief periods of Intense Wind Blown/Transport.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Rain-Rime Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Extremely slick rain crust everywhere up to 10300 at the top of todays travel. Crust ranged from 1 to at least 5cm thick even on the upper elevations. Slide for Life potential. Difficult skinning on anything steeper than 20 degrees and almost impossible 25 degrees and greater. Recommend Whippets, ski crampons or just boot hiking to gain steeper ridgelines. The old timers used to wrap ropes around their skis to ascend, and todays travelers could use multiple/numerous voile straps to offer the same kind of grip.

Great riding on Low angle slopes. Very "skittery" on even moderate angled slopes (25 to 30 degrees). Southerly facing slopes in the Upper elevations appeared to have a much thicker and uneven rain crust depth and texture.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Wind Loading

Red Flags Comments

Widespread shallow Loose Dry Avalanche Cycle that appeared to occur during the high PI between 0600 and 0800. This appeared to create a shallow density inversion in the new snow. The gusty WNW Winds were building soft Wind Slabs up to 45cm deep (4 finger minus)

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

There most likely was a Moderate Danger for Isolated Wind Slabs as described above, and the forecast appears to indicate these winds will be ramping up in the evening hours.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

New Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

See above for Loose Dry issues, and any continual periods of PI and Wind may allow this problem to increase danger wise.

Comments

Unfortunately poor visibility and flat light limited the possibility to display the Loose Dry avalanches in the Pioneer Bowl area. Picture represents the gusty winds and Transport, and this was well down off the ridgelines in a somewhat protected north facing area at 9200'

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

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