Observation: Gold Hill
Observation Date: 
03/17/2017
Observer Name: 
Ted Scroggin

Region:

  • Uintas
Location Name or Route: 
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky: 
Few
Wind Direction: 
South
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Weather Comments: 
Another mild start to the day with snow conditions softening quickly.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions: 
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments: 
Mostly tired crusty snow in the morning quickly turning damp with a few areas still having some dense loose snow in the very protected high north facing slopes. Riders have been getting after it with lots of high marks and side hill tracks on many of the steeper slopes around the area.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments: 
The heat is on, but only observed a few wet roller balls on those slopes getting direct sun.
Avalanche Problem #1
Type: 
Loose Wet Snow
Trend: 
Same
Problem #1 Comments: 
Continued warm days and poor refreezes at night keep the possibility of wet loose slides on east through west facing slopes.
Comments: 
One more picture of these huge cornices that are along the ridge lines.
Came across this sled triggered slide that is a few days old at least? This slope has avalanched once and possible twice this season and it typically has some very weak snow around this rocky area. Digging around up near the crown, I was finding dry to moist faceted snow at the ground and hard to believe we're talking about weak snow this time of year. A small slide, but a rough and rocky ride if someone did get caught in this?
These unseasonably warm days are started to taking their toll on the trails.
Today's Observed Danger Rating: 
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating: 
Moderate
Snow Profile Coordinates: 
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