Observation: Mill Creek Canyon

Quick report

Red Flags

Wind Loading, Collapsing, Rapid Warming, Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comment

<p>30 to 40 miles an hour wind from the southwest loading north the north east facing slopes. One collapse noted near the top of Big Water Gulch. 6 to 8 inches of settled powder transitioning from fist to four-finger to one finger slab the above a four-inch layer of fist hardness fassets. Snow pits yielded variable results with this layer, some propagating, some not with anywhere from 4 to 11 taps with Q2 quality shears. No failures noted on the deeper layers of facets. Little water pits dug in the 9200 foot range 38° slope angle north facing through north east facing slopes snow depth was about 120 cm at this location. The soldier fork pits dug around 8800 foot level Northeast facing soldier Fork 37° slope angle snow depth barely 90 cm at this location. Bottom line this persistent facet layer should prove very active with the next larger storm cycle.</p>

Snowpack