Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Hiking up to 2300’ on the Middle Fork Trail, all of the days precipitation came as heavy rain on top of 3” to 5” of new overnight snow. Rivers and creeks ran strongly and snow became very heavy.

The only signs of instability observed at our lower elevations were on the new storm snow, which was very sticky and would move in large clumps. A large slush slide ran over NF road 5620 (which goes to the Dutch Miller Gap TH) around 1300’, closing the road after we exited.

While we weren’t going to travel to middle elevations, these observations implied to us that travel from most trailheads on the way to middle and upper elevation objectives would require great care on the new snow.