Medicine Bow Nordic Ski Patrol
Patrol Log: Sunday, January 10, 1999:  M. Allen, J. Smith
10 January 1999, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm, Snowy Range.  Skied Silver Run Creek
in a party of 7 people, including patrollers Janet Smith and Sandy Frost.
Followed a standard route:
  * Green Rock parking area to Skinny Dip Meadow at the forks 
    in Sally Creek.
  * S Fork Sally Creek south to Libby Creek, then up to Bear 
    Lake.
  * West up the inlet to Bear Lake, then south and east to 
    Silver Run Lake.
  * East along the Silver Run Creek drainage to the confluence 
    with Libby Creek.
  * Across Libby Creek to Barber Lake Trail, then east along 
    Barber Lake Road.
  * North along marked trails to Corner Mountain trailhead.
Snow conditions were excellent for touring, with new powder atop a firm base.

Dug a snowpit and obtained the following data:


                       SNOWPIT DATA

Observer:               Myron Allen
Date and Time:          12:15 pm 10 Jan 99
Location:               Hillside S of Bear Lake
Elevation:              10,100 ft
Surface Roughness:      Smooth
Aspect:                 South facing, sunny
Incline:                17 degrees
Sky:                    Partly cloudy
Precipitation:          Snow flurries
Wind:                   Moderate and gusty, SW
Surface snow:           New powder
Foot penetration:       Knee

===============================================================================
H (cm)  R        F         D (mm)  W   Shovel    Comment          H (cm)  T (C)
===============================================================================
                                                                  Air       0
  0                                                                 0       0
       FIST    Rounded    .5      Dry                              10     - 2
                                                                   20     - 6
                                                                   30     - 6
 35                                                  
                                                                   40     - 4
       FIST     Rounded   .5      Dry                              50     - 4
                                                                   60     - 3
 70 ----------------------------------- Easy --------------------  70     - 3
       2-finger Rounded    1      Dry                              80     - 3
                                                                   90     - 3
 98
       FIST     Faceted  > 1      Dry             TG layer        100     - 2
109                                                                         0
===============================================================================

Comments:  The main potential for instability appears to be the weak depth-
hoar layer near the ground.  Also, light but steady snowfall, coupled with 
strong winds during the last 48 hours, suggest significant potential for wind 
loading on lee slopes.  Skiers and snowmobilers should use extreme caution on 
slopes over 30 degrees, since the snowpack may be poorly adhered to the ground.

================================================================================
Patrol Log: January 10, 1999, J. Smith

Ski: Silver run. Started at Green Rock picnic area. Myron Allen, Adele,
Ben Roth, Heidi, Janet, David, Sandy Frost and Ben's Two Dogs.

Car Count: Green Rock at 9:30 am: 42 cars

Stake: didn't check.

Snow Pit data: See Myron's log for same day.

Visibility: Despite windy conditions at high elevation, the visibility
was good.

We started at Green Rock picnic area and skied to Bear Lake (Section 27
of the Centennial Quad). We performed a car shuttle; left a car at the
Corner Mountain trail head. There were 6 to 8 inches of fresh snow in
the trees prior to the Science Camp. At higher elevations we consistenly
broke trail in about a foot of snow (not including windswept packed snow
areas). Between Bear lake and Silver Run Lake the snow was packed on the
windward sides of the tree trucks to a depth of about 8 inches.        The
trees were heavily laden with snow; winter wonder land. The fresh deep
snow made for fun skiing down Silver Run Creek. The snow was light
enough to get good glide for even the person breaking trail.

The only other skiers we saw were at Greenrock picnic area and the end
of Barber lake road.

Centennial Ridge: I talked with two skiers who skied Centennial Ridge on
Saturday. They reported less than sufficient snow for skiing and womping
snow conditions. Does not sound safe for the ridge.

Janet Smith

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Page last modified January 12, 1999
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