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Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Wednesday morning, December 23, 2020
A MODERATE avalanche danger exists on steep slopes facing NW-N-SE where stiff wind drifts or shallow soft slabs are overlying layers of weak, sugary, faceted snow. Suspect slopes that have smooth, rounded deposits of wind drifted snow. or that feel hollow underneath. Cracking, whumphing, or collapsing of the snowpack are signs of instability. Even a small avalanche triggered under these conditions can have serious and painful consequences.
Low snow cover is the biggest hazard out there right now with rocks and logs lurking just below the surface, and even a small avalanche triggered under these conditions can have serious and painful consequences.
Low
Moderate
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High
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Weather and Snow
Snowpack Discussion
My partner and I went up to North Creek Pass on Saturday. Coverage is exceedingly thin and many sun-exposed slopes are dry. On shady aspects, depths range from 6"-18". The existing snow structure is very poor. In exposed areas, stiff slabs overly this weak, sugary snow, and we experienced frequent cracking and collapsing of the snowpack. These are clear red flag signs of instability, but the reality is that there is so little snow, you would really have to be in the right spot to find enough for an avalanche. Steep, drifted, gully walls come to mind, or any shady slope with continuous coverage, where more than about a foot of snow exists. Our real concerns are for the future - if and when more snow finally comes, it will be falling on a precarious and unstable base.
On Wednesday, observer, and pilot Chris Benson took these aerial photographs of the range.
Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
Recent Avalanches
Dustin Randall from ROAM Industry sent in this photo of remotely triggered avalanche on a steep, northerly facing slope near 11,000'. This is exactly the type of setup we are concerned with right now. In spite of the low snow conditions, the existing, underlying snow is very weak, and anywhere that a slab exists on top, is primed and ready for an avalanche.
Additional Information
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
General Announcements
This forecast is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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