Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Isolated stiff wind slabs exist on lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls but most have gained strength and are extremley stubborn to move or crack. Faceted layers exist in the snowpack including developing depth hoar in the bottom few inches, but load seems insufficient at this time. This problem will become more accute with an additional snow load. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Isolated, stiff wind slabs exist on the lee sides of terrain features. Averaging less than 18" deep, most have gained strength and would be difficult to trigger. </p> <p>Weak, faceted layers do exist in the snowpack, but without sufficient load, the current threat of avalanche is very isolated. Snowpack is still well anchored in all but the most isolated of circumstances. </p>
Mixed bag conditions and overall early season, shallow snowpack with plenty of grass and obstacles protruding through. Pretty good for this time of year though, especially considering the last two years. Snow depth ranges from a about a foot at Dalton Springs Trailhead to around 30" near North Creek/ Cooley Pass. Low snow hasn't prevented enthusiastic riders from getting after it.