Observation: White Baldy

Observation Date
1/17/2026
Observer Name
Gagne/Pease
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine » White Baldy
Location Name or Route
Upper White Pine - Glacier Bowl
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Sustained winds in the upper elevations with some gusts in mid-elevations, although very little wind transport noted.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow surfaces continue to weaken with facets in the top 10-20 cms (4-8 inches) of snow. In wind-sheltered areas, facets would sluff on steep slopes. In exposed alpine terrain, the wind has disrupted the surface with a mixture of facets, some radiation recrystallization, old wind drifts, and some shallow pockets of unreactive wind drifts.

Comments

Not much at all to add to the worn out conversation about our snowpack. Travel is still quite supportable and soft snow can still be found, especially in wind-sheltered areas. Today was about focusing on the current snow surface as it will likely have the weakest snow when we do get more snow and/or wind. With another week of high pressure ahead - including temperatures that are colder than we've had the last 7-10 days - the snow surface will continue to weaken and will provide a widespread weak layer.

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