Observation: Snake Creek

Observation Date
5/6/2026
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Snake Creek
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Mid winter-like overnight lows with morning ridge top temperatures in the upper teens. NNW Extreme Winds observed on all upper ridgelines with Intense Blowing Snow/Transport.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Early morning tour and exit by 1100. HN24: 10cm with the first 5cm of wet/dense snow falling during the day on the 5th. The final 5cm of snow fell overnight and was dry and moderately dense. Good riding conditions on low and moderate angled smooth slopes with the initial snow fall serving as a great spongy base keeping you off the stout pre-storm m/f crust. Excellent creamy turning on these slope angles with the steeper slopes firm, but able to get a good edge.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Newly formed 45cm wind drifts were encountered, and these were Stubborn in locations observed. It was very likely to find Reactive Isolated Wind Slabs running on the firm pre-storm bed surfaces on steep East and Southeast aspects, especially when they were receiving the initial warming from the intense May solar.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

See above, and after these may transition to Stubborn after they move through their initial exposure concerns to the warming Solar.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low