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Observation Date
1/6/2015
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Gold Hill
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Fairly mild start to the day, calm winds along the ridge lines, just a few high clouds during the day and temperatures quite mild for early January.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Still quite good snow conditions above about 9,500' on the shady aspects, but loose some elevation and move around to the sunny slopes and the snow turns damp and soft. The highway took a big hit today with the warm weather and there is pavement showing near the gate.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
I did not observe any red flags in my travels today in the Gold Hill area.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
This problem would only be if folks are spending time at lower elevations and given the forecasted warm temperatures.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
The persistent slab issue is likely fairly isolated right now to upper elevation thin rocky terrain.
Comments
Digging around in the Gold Hill area I was finding the snowpack to be somewhat relaxed and no fracture propagation in my snow pits. The weakest snow I found is in the mid-pack, but the slab seems to lack any energy. Gold Hill is typically one of those areas where early season thin weak snow is found and the terrain is quite rocky.
Gold Hill has been getting a fair amount of riders with lots of tracks in the area and not too many rocks and stumps found today.
Today's warm temperatures and thin snow cover on the highway resulted in some pavement showing down near the gate.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate