Snowpack Observations from Near Grouse Rocks

Location Name: 
Grouse Rocks
Region: 
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 01/16/2014 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 8' 6.252" N, 120° 14' 29.724" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

A snowpack full of weak sugary snow and a few crusts exists below snow that fell on Jan 11. This more recent snow has also started to facet in many areas. On the more wind affected N-NE aspects in near and above treeline areas, small wind slabs do exist. Some tests indicated that fractures can still propagate through the weak snow below the wind slabs and others indicated that fractures are unlikely to travel very far below these wind slabs. We got two ECTN results from a test pit near the ridgeline just north of Grouse Rocks and one ECTP result. In this area the snowpack only measured 30-35 cm in depth and a trigger point did exist in the ECT column in which the fracture propagated. In areas where less of a wind slab existed snowpit tests and observations indicated a mostly stable snowpack. These tests still indicated that the facets buried in the snowpack remain weak, but that they are currently able to support the snow above them.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northeast