Carson Pass Observation

I toured around Carson Pass today and visited Woods Lake to look for evidence of the recent avalanche cycle on the steep slopes there. I found old crowns and some broken tree limbs but the evidence was subtle and much of the debris likely buried by snow that fell after the slides occurred. There were multiple crowns visible along the entire slope above Woods Lake, some were near the top, some at mid slope rollovers and some near the base of the steep terrain. At the edge of the largest runout, the trees bordering the path showed the most evidence of recent slide activity with broken limbs and snow plastered high on their uphill side. 

Surface conditions were firm with a small amount of soft soft snow on top. In openings below tree line I found large (5-10mm) surface hoar. Temperatures were well above freezing and snow was softening on sun exposed slopes. Winds picked up around noon with a noticeable light to moderate wind from the southwest. 

Heads up, both of the Carson Pass SnoParks are less than 50% cleared of snow and filled quickly today. The bathroom at the south Carson Pass SnoPark is completely hidden behind a wall of snow. Driving up Carson Pass from the east, at the big left turn an old likely Caltrans triggered slide has pushed the guard rail off the road and bent it impressively. 

Photo 1: Large surface hoard in open areas near tree line. 

Photo 2: Faint old crowns on the steep slopes above Woods Lake.

Photo 3: Evidence of old slides.

Photo 4: Broken limbs and snow plastered high on a tree in the runout

Photo 5: Wavy textured snow covering old debris.

Photo 6: Looking up towards Roundtop

Photo 7: Multiple faint old crowns above Winnemucca Lake