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
03/05/2023 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Deep Creek
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		A small natural storm slab avalanche with a crown height of less than one foot. Loose dry activity was more common than storm slab cracking. Minor amounts of wind slab cracking. Deep trail breaking with minor storm slab cracking on the skin track edges. Snowfall rates up to S5 observed. Forecaster
03/05/2023 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Horse Canyon
Bear Valley Area 		Public
03/04/2023 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon
West Shore Area 		Public
03/04/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Hidden Peak
West Shore Area 		Intense blowing snow and gale force winds made for near zero visibility near the summit of HIdden. Wind slabs near the summit of Hidden had already reached 6-10 inches in depth 2 hours after the start of the snowfall. Blowing snow was occurring in below treeline areas. Graupel fell as the storm began. The graupel layer was present on the upper elevations on Hidden. Snowfall rates and wind intensified during hte day and refilled our tracks after about 1-2 hours. Public
03/04/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Stevens Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		From trailhead to 8000' there was a 2 cm to 3 cm crust present Public
03/04/2023 - 09:00
Avalanche Observation 		Lake Run Right of Way
Donner Summit Area 		Public
03/03/2023 - 12:30
Avalanche Observation 		NatGeo
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Long crown on E aspect Long Crown under NE flank of NatGeo Bowl D2 Wind Slab Avalanche in NatGeo Pronounced sastrugi showing multiple wind directions Snowpack settlement Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
03/03/2023 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Schallenberger Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Looking at the crown on the deep natural avalanche near the top of Schallenberger Ridge. The crown extended into the main bowl. The avalanche wrapped back down from the main bowl into more N facing terrain. Cracks also extended out into lower angle slopes adjacent to the avalanche. Investigating the avalanche crown. Another avalanche was visible on Anderson Peak. Breakable crust on sunny slopes today. Forecaster
03/03/2023 - 09:30
Snowpack Observation 		Lower Luther Pass
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Although on mostly north facing terrain, at a lower elevation clearing the snow was covered in stout melt freeze crust. Settlement cones high on the trees indicated dramatic settling of the snow It was hard to capture with photos but there were many gargantuan craters from previous snow bombs. Great views of Little Roundtop and surrounding Meiss Country. I couldn't see any old crowns. Looking up this shoulder, the snow was fairly scoured with exposed rocks and firm snow. Lots of wind textured snow on the edges of the north facing slopes. Professional Observer
03/02/2023 - 14:00
Avalanche Observation 		Schallenberger Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Huge crown from a recent avalanche Public
03/02/2023 - 13:30
Avalanche Observation 		Minden Mile
Outside of the Forecast Area 		Looking up from Foothill & Kingsbury over 3000' slide Public
03/02/2023 - 13:00
Avalanche Observation 		North side of Castle and Frog Lake Cliff
Donner Summit Area 		Public
03/02/2023 - 12:45
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Previous scouring by NE winds. Raised old skin track and ski pen of new skin track. Previous scouring by NE winds across N aspect terrain above treeline. Previous scouring by NE winds on E aspect terrain above treeline. A few roller balls visible off of the trees. Previous scouring by NE winds near treeline on NE aspect terrain. On the ridgetop, large areas of up to 6 inches of snow available for future wind transport. Forecaster
03/02/2023 - 12:30
Avalanche Observation 		Incline Lake Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Shallow wet loose activity on an ESE aspect on Incline Lake Peak Small roller balls of wet loose snow on the E side of Fireplug Wet snow instabilities on the flanks of Relay Peak Snowpit work on a NE aspect did not reveal any signs of instability. Wind sculpted surfaces near the summit of Incline Lake Peak Today felt spring-like, with sunny weather and warm temperatures on Incline Lkae Peak. The winds decreased and shifted to the SW around noon. During our tour, trees started dripping, and the snow surface started to get wet on sun-exposed areas on all but the N aspects. We noticed several small roller balls and sluffs of wet loose snow near rocks and on SE and S facing slopes. Some happened today as the day warmed up, and some happened yesterday. At the end of our tour, we drove over Mt. Rose Summit and saw Runnels forming in the snow on a SE facing slope as the day warmed up. Forecaster
03/02/2023 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Observed from Tallac
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Public

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