Front Range

Snowpack

Nick Barlow · Jan 24, 2018 · Front Range

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Weather

Sunny and warm day on Berthoud Pass, mountain wave/lenticular clouds east of the Continental Divide. Calm winds BTL transitioned to variable puffs/gusts NTL. ATL, gusts were moderate out of the NW, between periods of calm. Winds and drifting increased during the afternoon hours.

Snowpack

I traveled on NE/E/SE-facing slopes at all elevation bands. The top of Hidden Knoll is just ATL, but more indicative of NTL elevation band. Recent storm snow had little slab quality BTL. NTL, 20-30cm surface slab was soft but cohesive. ATL was sastrugi and firm, wind-affected snow. Deepest snowpack (>=1m) was NTL or just ATL, with SE-facing slopes holding the most snow. Layer of near-surface facets 25-30cm (down) showed medium to stubborn CT/ECT results, and did propagate a fracture. Layer of depth hoar not as thick as other Front Range areas, but still large and advanced grains. Strong mid-pack with 20-30cm thick pencil-hard slab.