These observations document past conditions at a small and variable scale. They are not to be confused with an avalanche forecast. They come from a variety of sources. We can only vouch for the quality of those produced by the SAC forecasters and professional observers.
Date and time of observation or avalanche occurrence Location Media Observation made by
01/04/2016 - 21:45
Avalanche Observation 		Ward Peak, west face
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
02/06/2019 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Blackwood Ridge
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Signs of storm snow settlement, approaching 10 inches in some areas. Signs of previous wind transport near treeline. Wind loaded features that were unreactive to skier weight. Forecaster
12/12/2014 - 13:30
Snowpack Observation 		Under grouse rocks
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Public
12/22/2022 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Polaris Point
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Buried 20 mm surface hoar on N aspect near 7,300' A below treeline opening, N aspect near 7,300' with large buried surface hoar. Examining buried 12 mm SH in the avalanche start zones of Polaris Point (snowpit location). Skier triggered rollerballs on a N aspect at 7,500'. Another old flank and crown from Dec 11. Just below Stanford Rock, NE aspect at 8,200'. Forecaster
01/12/2016 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		West Grouse
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Forecaster
02/17/2022 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Polaris Point plus Blackwood Canyon below Stanford Rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Wind slab over old near surface facets on a near treeline NW aspect. Wind slab failure from a jump on top of the pit. One inch of surface wet snow on E aspect terrain in Blackwood Canyon below Stanford Rock at about 7,400'. Melted out S aspects in the background. Forecaster
02/06/2016 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Stanford Rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Forecaster
11/09/2022 - 08:00
Avalanche Observation 		Grouse Rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Public
11/30/2020 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Blackwood
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Buried Surface Hoar Buried Surface Hoar Public
01/16/2019 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Below Scott Peak
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Surface hoar buried under 65cm of new snow Surface hoar grains removed from bottom of slab on ECTP6 Public
03/06/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Polaris Point
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		ECTN22 on Feb 14 layer facets. Percolation Tubes showing vertical movement of water through snowpack. 6" wind slab crack on convexity into steep tree well. Roller balls on NW slope near 8,000'. Cornice on Polaris Point, ~8' height. Ski pole point identifying our approach tracks; snow in the morning, dirt in the afternoon. ECTP 23 on the Feb 14 facets Public
02/20/2019 - 08:00
Snowpack Observation 		Ward Canyon driveway all the way up to top of Stanford Rock area.
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Public
12/10/2020 - 09:45
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse Rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
04/11/2019 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Blackwood Ridge
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Thick frozen crust on top of wet snow. Scoured icy rain crusts on an E aspect. The crust was boot and ski supportable during our tour and showed no signs of melting as of noon. Cloud cover increased during our tour and light snow started to fall around noon. Forecaster
03/15/2022 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Polaris Point and Stanford Rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Intentionally triggered wet loose avalanche, size D1. Stanford Rock, NE aspect at 8,400'. Spreading out for more than one snowpit below Polaris Point at 7,300'. Repeatable propagation on Feb 14 layer at the upper pit, none at the lower pit. ECTP on the Feb 14 layer, about 1 foot below the snow surface. Forecaster

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