Observation Date
1/31/2015
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Gold Hill
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cloudy this morning, but the afternoon was clear and nice with light northeast winds. Two to three new inches of snow overnight.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Amazing what a few new inches of snow can do to at least appear to help the conditions out. About 1" at the trailhead and two to three inches in the Gold Hill area. Conditions got a little warm and sticky at lower elevations, but around 10,000' the snow stayed mostly cool and the light east winds helped keep the temperatures in check.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags observed, there were some relaxed wind slabs that did not pose much issue today along the ridge lines.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Not much going on that I observed today, there might be a few shallow wind slabs that a rider might stumble onto. These are likely found on slopes on the south side of the compass.
Comments
Despite the lack of good snow coverage, folks are able to get around on a mostly supportable base and are getting into some of the steeper terrain.
Light east and northeast winds along the ridge lines in Gold Hill today, but there was little snow being blown around. It was a nice mild afternoon in the backcountry.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
