Castle Pass

Location Name: 
Castle Pass
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/18/2016 - 14:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 29.0484" N, 120° 21' 53.5716" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Guide at Tahoe Mountain School
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

We toured up Castle Peak road to Castle Pass.  Surface hoar was consistently observed in the lower elevation wind protected areas.  There are small sections of the road that are melting out with flowing water crossing the trail.   East aspects had between 8cm and 15cm of light density snow on top of a several rain crust.  The upper most crust appears to be breaking down do to the large temperature gradient in the top 20cm of the snow pack.  There were moderate Southeast winds at the trailhead and strong East winds at the pass.  At the pass East aspects are scoured down to the rain crust 50' below the ridge.  The West side of the ridge had edgeable wind blown snow. 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East