Observation Date:
February 26, 2022
Submitted:
February 26, 2022
Observer:
Steve Mace | ESAC Forecaster
Zone or Region:
Lundy Canyon
Location:
Lundy Canyon- Waning coverage, dust on crust conditions
Recent Avalanches?
None Observed
Cracking?
None Experienced
Collapsing?
None Experienced
Stability Rating:
Very Good
Confidence in Rating:
High
Stability Trend:
Steady
- I walked into Lundy canyon today to survey new snow depths and to get an idea of how coverage is holding up.
- The road still has some snow on it between the winter closure and the Lundy lake dam but it’s a bit spotty. I walked the majority of the road with skis on my pack this morning. I was able to slide a bit more of the descent, taking advantage of ribbons of snow on the shoulders and in the bushes beside the road.
- Coverage has diminished quite a bit since my last visit to Lundy a little over a week ago. Southerly aspects on the north side of the road are almost entirely bare. Even on more northerly aspects, areas of dry ground, sage brush, and large reefs of talus are becoming more dominant.
- I toured to about a little above 9500′ on the Deer creek shoulder. Coverage averaged about 50 cm in the areas I traveled with several areas where I had to tip tow around rocks and other exposed obstacles. That being said even in very thin areas (<20cm) I found the snowpack to be supportable and quick sliding.
- New snow totals in this area averaged around 1″ above 9000′. Sporadic accumulations at lower elevations would be best described as a trace. I found a few deposits in the 4″ in range in mid slope depressions and leeward catchment zones. No concerning wind slab deposits were observed on my tour today.
- I found some fairly enjoyable turns where the old snow surface was smooth below the dusting of new snow. The best turns were had in one prominent gully feature with lower slope angles and features conducive to catchment.
- No signs of instability were observed on my tour today. Only micro drifts of wind stiffened snow were observed near treeline. And thin cloud-cover + light to moderate winds kept surface snow from becoming moist, even at lower elevations.
- Ive been saying it for a while but i am still impressed how well the snowpack is holding up given our lack of significant precip in 2022. The snow is still sliding and the views are spectacular. That being said, ski crampons are still necessary equipment basically anywhere you wish to travel, variable & challenging surface conditions are common place throughout the range, and coverage continues to dwindle. Fingers crossed for some more substantial snowfall soon, we certainly could use it.
