Observation: Whitney Basin-Double Hill

Observation Date

1/14/2026

Observer Name

Ted Scroggin

Region

Uintas » Whitney Basin-Double Hill

Location Name or Route

Whitney Basin

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

Northeast

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Beautiful day on the north slope with light northeast winds on the ridges and with the mild temperatures, that north wind did not have quite the chill it normally would.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Dense Loose

Wind Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

The snow conditions are holding up very well despite the unusual warm January temperatures. I have been finding nice dense settled snow at the mid and upper elevations and on the shady side of the compass. Lower down damp and thin snow cover is still fairly widespread.

Red Flags

Red Flags Comments

No red flags in my travels.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

The winds from a northerly direction continue to blow in the light category on the upper ridge lines. I did not observe much in the way of blowing and drifting as the snow has mostly settled out. Some weakening of the surface snow with the clear and dry weather could develop some isolated sensitive soft wind slabs in favored terrain.

Comments

Some riders have been testing the waters and stepping into some bigger terrain in the Whitney Basin.

I have been tibbling at the edges and feeling a little more confident in the snow pack as it gains some strenth and stability.

These unusualy warm January temperatures continue to diminsh the lower elevation snowpack, keeping very thin conditions.