Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Snow Stability

Bottom Line

We skinned up the Bass Creek trail to 5,100 feet, hoping to get eyes on some of the avalanche paths in the region. Low visibility limited our observations, and unfortunately, we didn't see much. A small debris pile from a loose wet avalanche was in a steep north-facing path at 5,000 feet. This likely released from approximately 6,500 feet in a more vertical section of the path, but it wasn't easy to see where it originated. It rained the entire time we were out (9 am to 11 am). The snow is fully saturated and heavy at 5,000 feet. Running water was everywhere, and sections of the trail were washed out to the bare ground. The trail is hard-packed and icy to 4,800 feet. It was difficult breaking trail in the saturated snow above that. We decided to turn back due to the low visibility and the complexity, uncertainty, and increased overhead hazards from wet problems we would need to face to get further up the canyon.