Gunsight Pass

We rode up to the Gunsight Pass area to check out the snowpack in the Wyoming Range. Snow heights vary significantly in this zone above 9,000'. In areas with snow (mostly N and E aspects), the average height of snow is around 150cm (60") with spots over 200cm (78"). Other slopes have been stripped bare by the wind (S/SW). We observed remarkably little recent avalanche activity on the steep east faces of Mt. McDougal. There were some small wet loose slides that likely ran yesterday (1/28). Other than that, we only observed one old avalanche that involved the weak layer formed during the December drought. 

Digging down, we found weak, faceted snow preserved underneath slabs of varying thickness and hardness. These slabs are very hard and thick in windy areas and softer and shallower in protected areas.