Boulder Ridge - Gros Ventre Range

Toured up Boulder Ridge from the Granite Creek campground to check on the snowpack in the data sparse Gros Ventre. Overall, the snowpack here is similar to nearby areas like the northern Wyoming Range meaning it’s relatively thin. Snow depths increase from about 80cm (30”) at 7,000’ to 150-175cm (5-6’) at 8,400’.

Dug a pit on a NE aspect at 8,400’. The total height of snow was 174cm (6’). Here, a meaty 118cm (4’) thick slab sits above weak snow from December that is healing but still present. Layers within the slab are well bonded. ECTN 30+ on the 2/2 interface which is 76cm (2.5’) down. The column sheared in depth hoar near the ground when pulled on with the shovel.

We observed some textured surfaces and other signs of wind affect, but very little in the way of wind slabs. Stiff wind affected snow was limited to the first 10 feet below the ridgeline. Shaded surfaces held dry snow and solar aspects were crusty. Crusts on solars had not broken down by 2pm despite the warm temps.

We observed several old crowns but no recent activity. Wet loose activity was very minimal and confined to rocky, steep south facing slopes.