State of the Snow

In late July I speculated that we might lose all snow in the Wasatch Mountains this year.  A poor snow year followed up by a hot spring and summer is a recipe for snowpack oblivion.

As we approach the end of the melt season, all that remains is a few patches of snow clinging to the high north aspects.  Yesterday, all that was left on the American Fork Twin were three narrow patches of snow that are probably doomed.

Looking for turns?  How about this patch at the base of the northeast face of White Baldy.

It might just survive the summer.  Chances are, this patch is probably neve (compacted, granular snow) from the great winter of 2010–11.  If I remember correctly, there was also a large avalanche on the northeast face of White Baldy that year that probably collected in this area. 

I'm still waiting for someone to send me a recent photo of the Timpanogos snowfield.