Allan Creek Late Spring Ride

cjacres , Tuesday 25th April, 2023 10:30AM

Access has a fair bit of gravel in long patches up to 4 km. Between 4 km and 6 km trail is hard and icy in areas. 6 km and beyond it is holding up well. Might want to consider ol route at 3 km to avoid worst of trail. Snowpack was well consolidated with about 3 cm of fresh in the areas we rode. Northerly aspects had some evidence of storm slabs in more sheltered locations. Southerly aspects were showing wetter snow surface likely from periodic sun exposure with warm Temps (-5 to 0C). Was not enough to destabilize snowpack in areas we rode. Despite what the photos show, the sun was quite intense when it did appear. Fog was present periodically beginning around 1800m and periodic snow falling as graupel with now significant accumulation. Did observe at least 5 avalanches across the valley from the burn and the challenging terrain zone between that and hillclimb. It was a good day of riding for this time of year and only one other group of two in Allan.

Snow conditions were: Hard. Weather conditions were: Cloudy, Foggy, Warm. We rode: Convex slopes, Mellow slopes, Open trees, Steep slopes. Riding quality was good.

Avalache Conditions: Slab avalanches today or yesterday. Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

Snowpack

1-3 cm fresh snow. Periodic snow as graupel. Some areas snow surface had a wetter consistency believe this was due to periodic sun exposure combined with Temps in -5 to 0C. Some evidence of storm slabs in sheltered northerly slopes

Weather

Periodic Fog present from about 1800m and above. Periodic snow as graupel with no significant accumulation. Temps between -5 to 0C.