Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Careful terrain choice is necessary to avoid steep slopes today as recent snow stresses weak layers buried 2-3 feet below the surface. This recent snow also sits on weak, old snow surfaces. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist as both small and large avalanches could be triggered on slopes over 30°.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Incremental loading of recent snow over the last week (since Feb 3rd) has formed soft slabs 1-2 feet deep. These slabs lie on a variety of poor interfaces and are slowly adjusting to the weak layer. Even though we haven’t seen much activity, there is a possible to likely chance of triggering an avalanche. Performing simple hand shear tests is a great strategy to assess how the recent snow is bonding. Extended column tests provide even more data and help you gain insight into the character of the slab firmness and poor interface. 

    Wind slabs can also be found isolated on NW-SE aspects primarily above 9000’. Areas where you find wind drifted snow will be deeper and more sensitive to triggering. Look for signs of wind drifted snow such as distinct hardness changes, large pillows/drifts, and altered snow surface texture.

    (2/7/2024) Large mid-storm avalanche at 10,000 feet on Togwotee Pass. We also found unstable snow in pit results around 9,000 feet on an E aspect.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Poor snowpack structure exists as weak snow formed in December lies below hard slabs 2-3 feet deep. The dangerous recipe of hard slabs above weak snow is widespread on Togwotee. Trenching your sled or digging a snowpit can give a clear idea of the poor snowpack structure. These weak layers have been stressed by recent snow this week. Watch out for steep terrain where avalanches are common such as slopes that are convex, rocky, and heavily wind affected. Terrain traps such as large creeks and gullies also pose a serious threat. Wind loaded terrain above 9000’ will be easier to trigger one of these large avalanches. 

    Double propagation!

    Photo: Noah McCorkel

Avalanche Discussion

Since Feb 3nd, the zone has received around 20” of snow with 1.9” of snow water equivalent. The main problem today will be assessing how that new snow is bonding as well as how this new snow is stressing persistent weak layers buried deeper. It’s important to read the forecast, and use the information explained above to assess the snowpack for yourself. We haven’t seen or heard of much avalanche activity on Togwotee during this week. This zone receives the least amount of observations, but sees a lot of daily backcountry users. The uptick in observations from the Greys has been a tremendous help to provide a more robust forecast. If you frequent Togwotee or simply are on a trip, please let us know what you see. We appreciate the information sharing to keep us all more informed to make better decisions.

Regions covered