Observation: Silver Spoon

Observation Date
1/14/2026
Observer Name
Hardesty and Pagnucco
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork » Silver Spoon
Location Name or Route
Silver Spoon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Glorious spring day for mid-January.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

The gamut. Wind and sun sheltered terrain has the best riding conditions, of course, with the weakest snow and surface hoar in the low elevations.

Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
None
Comments

Mostly LOW danger in our terrain. Plenty of tracks on every steep slope, although the blue light in Flanigan's and the Guild Line was enough to obfuscate proper viewing of tracks.

HS at 9500' north facing was roughly 100cm. The snow surface did not seem as weak as I had pictured it to be; similarly the basal facet layer was thin, damp, and not alarming. Some weaknesses noted between the crusts - buried 65cm down - but not particularly weak and tests could not elicit a shear plane.

On our exit, the east to southeast facing snow was in the mid-elevation thermal belt was isothermal, but supportable with wide skis. One could fairly easily push a ski pole - basket first - to the ground. Skis penetrated wet snow about 40 cm.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates