Pinch yourself because these are the days. Current base depth at Alta 121". Every SNOTEL station in Utah above median. Mill D North 204% of median. Snowbird 206%. Brighton 184%. Thaynes Canyon 181%. Ben Lomond Peak 206%. Timpanogos Divide 213%.
As of today (January 7), this is the fattest snowpack we have had at Snowbird since the 2010/11 season. We are in a virtual tie with 2005/06 and just behind 2004/05 and just ahead of 2003/04. Compared to recent years, we have it awfully good.
Low elevation backcountry access in many areas is in, with the main complication on many trails being some downed timber from the heavy snowfall.
Typically heinous exits in many cases are remarkably well filled in.
And we have the low-angle sun! This is most definitely the most wonderful time of the year.
The persistent weak layer from the November dry spell seems to be healing. I am still not pushing it into big terrain, but hopefully we're getting closer to being able to do that more comfortably. We will see how things go in the coming days.
The forecast for late Monday and Tuesday looks optimistic. Maybe we will take a peek tomorrow.
Thanks for the positive update! I hope the storms continue for the snowpack AND to keep our air clean. I need to get up in the hills. I miss 10-20 years ago before the mass influx of people crowding the canyons.
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