Front Range
AvalancheRyan Zarter · Dec 22, 2019 · Front Range
Snowpack
On a southwest aspect below treeline in the Upper Cameron Chute highway path, the HS was 54cm. The snowpack consisted of a thin melt-freeze crust over facets that sit on top of a 1 finger hard slab. This sits on top of more facets on top of a 10cm thick melt-freeze crust at the ground. The snow surface on this southwest aspect, as well as south aspects at this elevation, was moist. On easterly aspects near and below treeline where I travelled the snowpack consisted of near surface facets over a faceting slab over depth hoar. HS varied from 1-1.5m.
Avalanche
Numerous very small (less than D1 sized) avalanches were noted from steep road banks and in the highway paths on the west side of Cameron Pass. One very small (less than D1 sized) avalanche was noted in the avalanche area on Willow Creek Pass.