Observation: Taylor Canyon

Observation Date

1/14/2026

Observer Name

Grady

Region

Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry » Taylor Canyon

Location Name or Route

Taylor Canyon

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Winds observed on the summit of Mt. Allen 15mp gusting 25 NE. Temp approx. 33*F. Strong valley inversion noted.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow surfaces changed throughout the descent. The ridgeline harbored some cold faceted snow on the surface and also had some scoured areas. Descending into taylor canyon into a NW aspect the wind tapered down quickly and led to a faceted snow surface. Loud Pow! Travels were slow and methodical as the snowpack is still very thin and rocky.

Red Flags

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

We have been observing poor structure at the base of the snowpack which is a series of crusts and facets with overlying storm snow on it that has been settling out with a warming trend since Jan 8th, but do not yet have the load on top to be observing any sizeable avalanches on the W-N-E portion of the compass between 8k' and 9.5k'.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Problem #1 Comments

Poor structure noted, although the christmas melt freeze crust is beginning to break down in stoutness and in grain type and now presents more as clustered rounds. The New Year's rain crust is easy to find with facets noted above and below. Many November facets got wet during these early season warm temps and rain events but are still to be found in some upper elevation bands.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

New Snow

Problem #2 Comments

Hard to really call it new snow at this point, however in our travels due to thin snowpack and relatively steep slope angles 35-40* the surficial snow is faceting in the cold northerlies and was entraining itself in isolated turns throughout the descent.

Snow Profile

Aspect

West

Elevation

8,700'

Slope Angle

35°