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Avalanche: Michigan City

Observer Name
EK
Observation Date
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Avalanche Date
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Michigan City
Location Name or Route
Michigan City Mine area
Elevation
9,700'
Aspect
Southeast
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
16"
Width
250'
Vertical
500'
Comments
While touring in Grizzly Gulch to Twin Lakes Pass etc, observed numerous small new snow slides below gullies and probable cross-loaded wind slab releases with fracture lines. The north Patsy Marley face was corniced, visibly wind loaded, and thankfully unskiied except for skin track on small upper portion. On return, observed this more substantial crown line on a cross-loaded SE aspect directly above Michigan City mine. Did not see any associated ski tracks so I assume this was natural, likely in the last 24 hours. Despite the moderate forecast level on slopes SE-SW above 9500', this appeared to be a very active avalanche day. Skiing on low angle terrain was superb.
On Sunday February 18th UAC forecasters went to look at this avalanche. Read the observation HERE.
Coordinates