Sawatch
AvalancheHogan Warlock · Jan 7, 2021 · Sawatch
Snowpack
Largely bare on most aspects, but on Northeast to Southeast through East aspects there was severe wind loading. Average depth was around 12 inches, bottom ten inches being 4 finger stiff and top 2 inches being pencil eraser stiff. Depth varied wildly, though, as the wind in this area was chaotic and shifted directions constantly.
Avalanche
Glide avalanche was seen on an East facing slope. I did not witness it occur, but it was evident that it had occurred after (and probably triggered by) the rapid loading event that occurred on Tuesday the 5th with the snowstorm that passed through. Small avalanche, but only because it was inside of a gully. I didn't get close to it, but estimate that the crown line was about a foot, foot and a half. Rocks poking through show that it is a glide avalanche. This avalanche was near the end of the dirt road leading up to the trailhead at four mile creek, on an Eastern aspect, at around 12400 ft.