Date of Observation: 03/16/2021
Name: Eric Murrow
Zone: Southeast Mountains
Location: Cement Creek to Upper Taylor
Aspect:
Elevation: 9,000′ – 12,100′
Avalanches: Observed two small slab avalanches on northeast (Hunter Hill) and east (Star Pass) alpine features.
Weather: Mostly cloudy skies with a few periods of sunshine. Winds were light even above treeline in typically windy places, no transport observed. New snow accumulation up to 1.5″ overnight with a few short bursts of S1 during the day.
Snowpack: Recreational snowmobile day so made few snowpack obs, only digging was to free my snowmobile. I did measure new snow accumulations since Saturday at the head of Cement Creek at 11,400′ and found 11″ with 1.1″SWE. Snow volumes tapered very quickly as you headed down the valley with just 7 inches near Hunter Creek and only 3 inches at the Cement Creek TH. Below treeline slopes facing east through south through west developed a soft melt/freeze crust on Monday with a dusting to 1.5″ new sitting above. Northeast through southeast slopes near treeline appeared well drifted from the weekend; above treeline loading was a bit more variable depending on the local terrain shape.
Photos:
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- Small recent avalanche near Star Pass.
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- Small avalanche on northeast slope of Hunter Hill.
