Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

In the Summit Lake area triggering a lingering wind slab around a foot deep is still possible. These can be found in the upper elevations near ridgelines, rollovers, and in cross-loaded gullies. There is also a small chance of triggering a larger avalanche on old weak snow buried in the lower half of the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: A skier triggered a cornice fall that then triggered a large avalanche in the Carter Lake area on Monday that ran to the valley floor (pictured here). No one was caught.

    Another nice day is expected for the Summit Lake area and because this zone has had such little snowfall over the past week, the main avalanche concerns are related to wind slab avalanches. Watch for lingering wind slabs that could be up to a foot deep in the higher elevations. Although older, these slabs could be sitting on a layer of buried surface hoar making them still touchy after a few days. This can be a case where a person can get out onto the slab before it releases, catching them by surprise. Look for these slabs below ridgelines, on rollovers, and in wind loaded gullies. Shooting cracks and stiffer snow over softer snow are clues you've found a wind slab. 

    (3/11/2025)

    Cornce fall that triggered a large slab below in the Carter Lake area that is south of Summit Lake. This occurred on Monday, March 11.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Buried deep in the snowpack are old weak layers. There is also that Valentine's Day buried surface hoar here and there closer to the surface. Despite these weak layers, it has been weeks since the last known avalanche released in them. One question mark is that avalanche pictured above near Carter Lake. This slab could be related to the Valentine's Day buried surface hoar, or some other weak layer. Either way, it's really good information that even though not much snow has fallen, there could still be an avalanche. 

    As far as the deeper weak layers, it would be unlikely a person would trigger one of them, but due to the known weak snow and poor structure, we can't rule it completely out. Likely places to trigger these layers is where the snow is thin, for example near exposed rocks. The consequences will be higher in large upper bowls.

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