Observations from Indian valley

Location Name: 
Indian Valley
Region: 
Ebbetts Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 01/13/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 35' 19.248" N, 119° 52' 36.444" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Throughout the area, numerous cuts of test slopes, including stacking multiple cuts above each other, failed to produce cracking or other signs of instability today. During periods of clear visibility, no fresh crowns or debris were observed.

Pics 1 and 2: A freezing fog deposited a thin crust at the surface and was visible from a disatnce on ridgetop features. Given the cooling temps observed, this crust could be a concern for future near crust faceting. Crust prevented snow transport from light E winds.

Pic 2 (from noted lat/long): Jan 9th rain crust was observed 125cm from the surface with an HS of 250cm. Pencil hard snow just above this strong crust and no faceting observed above or below. 125cm of "right-side-up" storm snow transitioned in single hand hardness steps from the knife hard rain crust to fist hard surface snow, which was consistent with other observations in the area. Column tests at this site did not indicate instability.

Pic 3: Settlement cones and cracking observed on trees.

 

Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

Water in the area appeared to be flowing at much higher rates than usual, especially between Hope Valley and Tamarack Junction. Large open holes along creeks and in meadows represented a significant hazard today, especially during times of limited visibility.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
East