Heavy and wet snow near Echo Lake

Location Name: 
Echo Lake
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Observation Date & Time: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2019 - 10:00
Location: 
38.831846, -120.044745
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
No


Conditions Alerts:

  • Recent Loading
  • Recent Loading›Rain on Snow

Terrain Alerts: 
Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees
Trigger Points
Terrain Traps
Observation made by: Professional Observer

Tabs

Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

Wet and heavy snow was falling this morning on Echo Summit. Old snow beneath the new snow was wet and soft, indicating lack of a freeze last night. Driving up to Echo, rain appeared to transition to snow at around 7000 feet. 

Photo 1: A fleeting dash of blue this morning, showing the new snow on the ground and trees.  It was mostly snowing during my time in the field this morning. 

Photo 2: Ski triggered loose wet roller ball activity on a steeper slope.

Photo 3: Looking up at the ski triggered loose wet activity. 

Photo 4: Examining the new snow. Excavated horizontal line below the surface was the most wet layer.

Photo 5: Recent cohesive roof shedding on a Forest Service cabin near Echo Lake. I skinned right by this on 3/28 and the snow was still on the roof. The photo doesn't really capture how massive this block of snow is. 

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