While we wait for winter to kick in, we're busy getting ready at the Utah Avalanche Center. We are changing batteries, greasing bearings, checking our safety gear, and updating the website. We have lots of avalanche education classes listed already:
The dominant weather pattern will be a high pressure system for the foreseeable future, with this will come scattered thin clouds and mild temperatures. The weekend weather system looks mild and fairly weak, could bring some cooler temps from the northwest, an increase in winds and the chance of a raindrop or two. The significant warming trend is expected to return early into next week.
We were able to get out, shake off some of the rust and look around at the dwindling snowpack in the upper Little Cottonwood Canyon today. Not a ton has changed, as the sunny slopes are losing snow and becoming bare while upper elevation shady slopes are retaining snow. There is up to 1-2 feet in protected areas of the upper Cottonwoods, and 6-12 inches on the Park City ridgeline. Old snow distribution is going to be very important moving into the next storm system, so be conscious of where coverage is as it forming a weak layer at the ground.
Upper Little Cottonwood Canyon - See full Observation
HERETake photos, and submit observations.
Strong Sunday into Monday winds led to the snow at upper elevations ridgelines has to expose dirt or created firm drifts in protected areas. Look for and avoid this wind drifted snow on steep slopes.
General Coverage in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon:
Here are a few things to remember:
- Hitting rocks and stumps is a real danger. Don't end your season before it starts with an injury from hitting one of these obstacles.
- Avalanches are a real possibility. It doesn't matter if you are hiking, hunting, skiing, etc., be prepared with rescue gear and a partner.
- The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for wheeled vehicles in the winter, and it is snowpacked, narrow, and icy in places.
- Hikers, cross country skiers, snow bikers, dogs, sleds, and 4x4s share the road this time of year, so be nice and keep your speed down around others...
