Observation: Mary Ellen

Observation Date
1/12/2026
Observer Name
schoen
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery » Mary Ellen
Location Name or Route
Pagan Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clear sunny day in the Wasatch, mostly calm with light NE winds at ridgetop.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Travel today was a mixed bag. Sheltered polars are still holding soft snow, most exposed terrain has a grabby wind crust and solars have a m/f crust. Covered was better than expected overall.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Poor snowpack structure still exists in upper elevation north facing terrain.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,900'
Slope Angle
23°
Comments

Photo 1: Large avalanche on the east slope of Geek Peak in Mary Ellen Gulch. Likely occured during last weeks storm.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates
Snow Pilot URL