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 Region Observation Type Photos Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos Snowpit videos (tests, etc) Observation made by
03/11/2022 - 12:00 Mt. Tallac Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) Snowpack Observation Lots of snow glopping on the skins today 1-2 cm boot penetration at 10:15am on a low angle E aspect clearing at about 7200 Looking north towards Cascade Lake and Emerald Bay Looking west towards Kalmia Ridge Firm turns on an E aspect just after 1pm around 7600 feet. Lower elevation and sunnier more south facing aspects were softer. Professional Observer
03/11/2022 - 12:00 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation South aspects are melting fast. Pinwheels on an E aspect around 8200 ft N-NE aspect at 8200 ft scoured by the recent NE winds. Roller balls on an ENE aspect at 8000 ft around noon. Forecaster
03/11/2022 - 10:45 Dogleg Couloir-Maggies Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) Snowpack Observation Public
03/11/2022 - 10:00 Plasse Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/10/2022 - 13:00 Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/10/2022 - 13:00 The Bench East Shore Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/10/2022 - 11:00 Elephant's Hump Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation 2mm, dry, loose grain, F hard facets from the Feb 14 layer. PST 30/100 SF on Feb 14 facet layer. ECTN-5 on Feb 14 facet layer. Moderate amounts of blowing snow visible on above treeline peaks in the area. Wind drifted snow refilling the skin track. New snow melting quickly on sun exposed bare ground despite air temps in the mid 20s. Forecaster
03/10/2022 - 08:15 Rubicon peak West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/09/2022 - 11:00 Rubicon Peak West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Thick cloud cover holding over the southern portion of the forecast area at 10:40 am. Cloud cover notably thinning over the northern portion of the forecast area at 11:30 am. This was the only pocket of wind slab I found today. It took some effort to make it fracture. NE aspect at treeline. SE face of Crag Peak. Typically a frequent producer of natural wet loose avalanches showing signs of minimal activity. Forecaster
03/08/2022 - 11:45 Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/08/2022 - 11:00 Waterhouse Peak Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Weak facet/crust sandwich with no slab on top at this time. Weak layer clearly delineated in upper snowpack. Limited snow on southerly aspects and along ridges. Looking south towards Stevens Peak and Carson Pass Thin sun crusts developing on southerly aspects where snow existed. Test pit location Forecaster
03/08/2022 - 10:30 LIncoln Ridge Yuba Pass Area Snowpack Observation Ski kicks triggered a small cornice failure above a N-facing wind-loaded test slope. ECTN on the facets below the recent snow. Surface hoar on wind protected slopes. Wind scoured areas along exposed ridges Wind scouring on a previously loaded NE facing slope. Clouds obscured the sun and slowed down warming during the morning. The sun broke through the clouds in this area around noon. Forecaster
03/07/2022 - 13:00 Donner Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/07/2022 - 12:31 Talking Mountain Echo Summit Area Snowpack Observation Looking up at the north side of Becker Peak Looking at the south side of Flagpole Peak Clouds arriving over Upper Echo Lake at 11:40am Wind slab extending a few feet Wind slab extending about 15 feet Graupel buried under wind slab ECTP 22 Professional Observer
03/07/2022 - 11:00 Deep Creek Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Small wind slab and cornice collapse on a NE aspect with NE wind protection. Previous blowing snow and skin track refill from overnight strong NE winds. Periods of blowing snow along the Sierra Crest. Consistent surface hoar distribution throughout open wind protected terrain up to ridgeline. Very small dry loose sluff. Forecaster

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