Quick report
38" of snow with 7.2" of snow water equivalent has fallen since Dec 23rd at our weather station. No recent avalanches, cracking, or collapsing was observed. Observed signs of wind affect, but not as much as anticipated. Northerly winds were not as strong in this portion of the Salt River Range. Field observations lined up with Mt Coffin wind station. This highlights the large differences in new snow problems across this forecast zone, especially during wind events (See Cliff Creek observations from yesterday). Snow depths were similiar to areas of the Wyoming Range. There was certainly enough wind to form slabs off exposed ridgelines. We observed unstable results during our stability test that failed above the ground at 8900' on a NE aspect. Wind sheltered terrain had developed near surface facets on the snow surfaces.
Snowpack
Average height of snow varied from 130-200cm (50-80") across the middle and upper elevations. Persistent weak layers were buried from 100-150cm (40-60").
Snowpit was dug at 8900' on a NE aspect. Total height of snow: 152cm. Slab fractured near the ground during an extended column test (ECTP26) that failed on 2mm facets directly above the ground. The fracture character was non-planar and the facets were moist (compared to the facets in the northern Wyoming Range that were completely dry).