Observation: Laurel Highway

Observation Date

1/3/2026

Observer Name

Chris Benson

Region

Moab » Laurel Highway

Location Name or Route

Coyote Chute to Gold Miners

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Ridgetop winds were transporting snow around 3pm with visible cornice/pillow building on N side of Laurel Ridge

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

10"

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Wind Crust

Rain-Rime Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow surface is a mixed bag. Lots of rime/clear ice falling off trees making the surface quite variable. Westerly aspects near treeline had a rime-crust.

Depth of snow pack seemed to vary from 30-70 cms.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Wind loading was visible. Got one collapse on a NE aspect when breaking through into the underlying facets. Poor structure exists on northerly aspects.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Wind-stiffened slabs could be sensitive to weight of a rider. Active wind-transport was observed around 3pm.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

Early season snow has faceted, albeit under a variable crust. Didn't get propagating results on ECT but localized collapsing is strong evidence that with the right slab, this weak layer could produce an avalanche.

Snow Profile

Aspect

Northeast

Elevation

11,300'

Slope Angle

25°