Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It will be possible to trigger avalanches 1-3 feet deep in steep upper elevation terrain today. Consequences of triggering avalanches at this depth are high and warrant conservative terrain choices. New snow and wind has created isolated pockets of unstable wind slab in the upper elevations as well. 

An avalanche fatality occurred one week ago today on Togwotee Pass. Our sincere condolences go out to all those impacted by this avalanche. A full report is now available and can be viewed HERE.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Weak snow that formed in early December sits 1-3 feet below the surface and remains a lingering threat today. Triggering an avalanche at this depth carries severe consequences. While it is becoming more difficult to trigger these deeper layers, it cannot be ruled out. Thin spots in the slab are the most likely spots to impact these layers. Large triggers in the form of groups, snowmobiles or falling cornices will increase the odds of impacting these layers. Use safe travel practices in order to minimize your exposure to this problem. Travel one at a time across steep terrain, use islands of safety when stopped and communicate plans with your group members throughout the day.

    (1/5/2025)

    Looking up from the burial site at the remotely-triggered large avalanche off the west shoulder of Brooks Lake Mountain near Breccia that occured on Jan 4th.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Fresh wind slabs up to a foot in depth have formed over the last 12 hours. These slabs will be most sensitive in the upper elevations, where winds have deposited snow on the leeward sides of ridges and slopes. Expect these slabs to be isolated to the highest elevations that have received the higher end of snow amounts (>6") and westerly wind. Be on the lookout for shooting cracks and stiff, rounded or pillowed snow. When encountering these signs move to less steep terrain.

    Small windslab at 8600' on an East aspect.

    Photo: Travis Baldwin

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack on Togwotee is generally shallow and weak. The early season brought minimal amounts of snow and generally cold temperatures. This helped to form weak layers of snow close to the ground. Beginning in mid December, storms deposited snow and created slabs on top of this weak snow. These slabs now range between 1-4 feet in depth.Obvious signs such as recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or collapsing may not present themselves prior to triggering. With the passage of time it becomes more difficult to trigger these deeper layers. Despite this improving trend, it is important to keep this problem on the radar. Patience is key when dealing with a persistent slab problem and today’s approach should be no different than yesterday.

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