Maverick Creek

We rode CD to Maverick Creek and noted at least 15 avalanches on both northerly and southerly aspects. Though half of these avalanches were small, they are primary feedback as to the stability of the snowpack. Several of these propagated long distances above steep slopes into creek drainages. We came across two recently remotely triggered avalanches from riders cutting lower across a slope. The average snow depth was 1.5-2.5 feet, with two-thirds of the snowpack composed of recent snow and one-third of the snowpack composed of weak, faceted snow at the base of the snowpack. This weak snow was very well-developed and dry, and could be felt when making off-trail turns with the track. Visually, tracks on slopes also had a "hollow" appearance owing to the 2 feet of newest snowfall masking weak snow at the base. 

The riding has improved dramatically at Togwotee. However, it remains the primary place (of all the zones) to trigger a persistent slab avalanche, particularly in a surprising way. Any time change is happening in this zone, whether in the form of new snowfall, wind, or warming temperatures, steep slopes should be given time and space. Avoiding avalanche terrain during these times should be built into a travel plan; for now, slopes (even with little snow) remain unstable.  

Togwotee has received 24-30" of new snow over the past week. While the new snow is helping to cover many exposed terrain features, the snowpack is still thin. We did not find a snowpack depth over 1 meter below 9000'. Facets make up the bottom 1/3 of the snowpack with consolidating new snow above.