Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a large avalanche is possible. Avoiding steep, rocky terrain where the wind has alternately drifted and scoured the snow surface will reduce your chances of finding trouble.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    You're mostly likely to trigger a dense, 2-5 foot thick slab avalanche on slopes facing the northern half of the compass, where the wind frequently blows, and the snowpack depth is variable. Avalanches are easier to trigger in thin spots at the edges of slabs. Here are some visual clues to identify suspect slopes:

    • Wind-pillows, and textured surfaces where the wind has moved snow  
    • Rocks sticking out of the snow and wind-scouring along mid-slope gullies
    • Terrain where some part of the slope is at least 35 degrees

    Remotely triggering an avalanche from flat terrain near steep slopes remains a possibility. If you do trigger an avalanche, you probably won't observe obvious signs of instability like snowpack collapsing or cracking beforehand. 

    (1/16/2025) This large persistent slab avalanche likely released in early to mid-January. Galena Gulch, northern Boulder Mtns. NE aspect at 9,800'. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Our odds of triggering a large avalanche are decreasing, but professionals continue to cautiously choose slopes with uniform, planar entrances and short sections of lower-angle avalanche terrain (low 30-degree slopes). Yesterday in Pole Ck, we found a generally shallow snowpack where mid-December weak layers are less than about 3 feet deep. Shallow snowpacks like these are where our odds of triggering a large avalanche are greatest. This zone harbors the most terrain where triggering large avalanches remains possible.

Continue to practice safe travel protocols. Travel with a skilled partner and keep each other in sight. If you choose to enter avalanche terrain, do so one at a time and stack the odds in your favor by avoiding slopes that end in terrain traps like thick trees, cliffs, and creek bottoms.

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