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Observation: Butler Fork

Observation Date
1/12/2026
Observer Name
CStowe
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork
Location Name or Route
Butler Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Not to cold to start, but a nice slow warm up throughout the day. Very little wind even on the ridges just above 9k.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Mixed bag out there. Hard frozen surfaces, breakable melt freeze, that softened throughout the day. Nice settled powder on the North 1/2 of the compass.

Structure seems to have improved, and all the facets I observed above and below the rain crust are rounding in this location. The South 1/2 of the compass has a good structure.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure exists only on some of the true North/NE aspects that are well protected.
Comments

Spent today(Monday) and last Saturday in Butler Fork. Riding conditions have improved greatly, but price of admission is still high in a few areas. I rode all aspects through out the last few days. Wilson SE face, East face of Gobblers, and the lower NE ramps into Butler basin. South 1/2 of the compass has crusted over, but nice supportable boot top powder still is present on the off aspects. No signs of instability in this area, with many of the big lines being ridden. Surprised to see tracks in Wilson chutes, but even more surprised of the uptrack out of the Wilson basin, that is clearly on the edge of the scary part of the Wilson avy paths.... Butler still needs more snow, but glad to be feeling better about the current snowpack conditions.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low