Observation: Columbine Bowl

Observation Date

1/3/2026

Observer Name

Sam & Brogue

Region

Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine » Columbine Bowl

Location Name or Route

White Pine Drainage

Red Flags

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Poor Snowpack Structure

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Multiple complex layers buried on Norths and Westerly slopes: ground facets, CERC, and two smaller crust layers. Generally just need more snow up here and time to stabilize. first pit was dug at 9100ft, West slope and was HS70cm. Although the ground facets(0-25cm) are still there from, under the loop the crystals were just beginning to round over.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

consistent and hard wind through the whole day. average maybe 15-20mph, gusts well into the 60-70mph range. spent time on leeward slopes to stay somewhat protected by the natural terrain but poked onto the ridge occasionally and experienced heavy wind from the SW. Lots of wind loaded & affected areas to navigate through. redeposition happening to the northeasterly side.

Comments

Started the day walking up white pine drainage via the summer road. made it to the exit of columbine bowl and ascended on the lookers right following someone's skin track from the day before. We stopped and pulled off to do some digging at 9100ft on a West facing, 30 degree slope in semi protected trees. Pit details: - HS70cm - Many complex layers including 25cm of ground facets that were jagged but slowly rounding over with a few crust layers between 25-55cm. - ECTN25 - Failing on a 2cm pencil crust at 45cm - Pulled a block off the CERC(30-38cm) at with a Q2 Shear

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

Coordinates

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