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
11/24/2020 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Elephant's Hump
Carson Pass Area 		Snow surface mix of 4mm graupel and 10mm SH. Snow surface mix of 4mm graupel and 10mm SH. Forecaster
11/02/2021 - 11:50
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Castle Rd at the gate. 2 feet of snow here a week ago. Snowcover improved above 7,400'. Forecaster
12/08/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Surface hoar was widespread on Tamarack Peak The winds had started to move snow and fill in old tracks by early afternoon. Lenticular clouds and waves on the lake herald strong winds and the approaching storm. Forecaster
12/09/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle - Basin Peak Area
Donner Summit Area 		Wind slab failure on buried surface hoar on a wind-loaded test slope. Shooting cracks triggered by a ski cut on a near treeline wind-loaded test slope. This slab failed on buried surface hoar. Large surface hoar on the snow surface in a sheltered area , Forecaster
12/10/2019 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Thopson Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Wind scouring on surface. 2-3cm breakable crust. Educator
Lake Tahoe Community College - Wilderness Educati
04/17/2023 - 16:00
Snowpack Observation 		Forestdale
Carson Pass Area 		Many slopes had a rough texture that may help help with new snow bonding An inch of corn, with a very light crust One of the few large cornices above Forestdale that hasn't fallen yet (Elephants Graveyard) "The Patch" has plenty of snow to last a long time Professional Observer
12/04/2020 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Becker Ridge
Echo Summit Area 		Looking down north aspects to lake. Looking out towards Desolation Wilderness. Forecaster
11/09/2021 - 15:00
Avalanche Observation 		Peak 8620'
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Looking up to crown line Crown and run. Looking downslope, avalanche ran 400'. Cohesive firm snowpack adjacent to avalanche. P to I hard layering. Wind slab off of ridge with ^ shape propagation Looking South to Barker Peak and Barker Pass Forecaster
12/11/2022 - 13:15
Snowpack Observation 		Shirley Canyon
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Public
12/13/2018 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Talking Mt.
Echo Summit Area 		This small mound on the approach ridge held very soft surface snow on the shady aspects but a thin breakable crust on the solar aspects. Beneath the crust similar very soft snow (NSFs) was present. Stomping on small cornices on the ridge produced small breaks that didn't produce much excitement. In more open areas some wind slab was present. This was sitting on top of 20cms of very soft snow. The wind slab was very easy to remove and expose the soft SH and NSFs below. Despite a small wind slab, ECTs did not produce propagation. Ski cuts on small test features also did not produce results in this area. Professional Observer
12/15/2019 - 02:30
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		small mid slope slide signs of wind transport signs of rain crust on plants? signs of rain crust on rocks? Public
04/23/2023 - 19:15
Snowpack Observation 		Allison Ridge - Rose Knob Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Cracking and recent collapses of the cornice Public
12/12/2020 - 12:45
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Reverse tracks on N aspect Cracking and small slabs in top 2” of snow Wind transport onto S aspect Public
12/04/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tinkers Knob
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Snow coverage on N and E aspects Ice axe and crampons were needed to move through some of this terrain. Occasional breakable crusts existed Snow coverage near Tinkers Knob Forecaster
12/11/2022 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Mount Tallac - Pomo Bowl
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Public

Pages