Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

West of Navaho Pass the ridgeline has several massive cornices. An enormous cornice was visible on Earl Peak from where we were skiing. We camped out near Navaho Pass on snow. Overnight temperatures seemed to fall below freezing since the snow was rock hard in the morning at 7-8am. The snow began to soften around 9am on 5/16/21. By noon it was very soft. When we stopped skiing around 1pm on 5/16/21 it was very soft and mashed potatoes consistency. Lots of melt water and water running underneath the snow on the Stafford Creek trail. Old avalanche debris obliterated part of this trail around mile 3 as you hike in from the trailhead. We saw evidence of old avalanches near Stafford Creek and near Navaho Peak as well.