Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Snow Stability

Bottom Line

Snowmobiled up to Flagstaff Butte and then up to the Wilderness Boundary at 7,000'. We rode down to the West Eagle Meadows and back up to Flagstaff Butte. The most obvious sign of instability was found on steep South-West facing terrain in the form of Wet Loose avalanche debris. We exited the field around 2pm, and the snow surface in the higher elevation terrain we rode in was developing a thin Melt Freeze Crust on solar aspects. Sheltered North facing terrain was still holding cold snow around 6,500' and above. Down at the West Eagle Meadows, the snow was becoming isothermal. We did observe some surface hoar on the way into Taylor Green, in sheltered North facing terrain near the trail.