Michael Hotchkiss

Date: 1/04/04

We traveled up the Upper Potholes trail on Saturday morning.  There was 3-4” of new snow with light snowfall turning heavier as the day progressed. No other skiers were on the trail but 3 other cars were at the Green Rock parking lot when we left.  We dug a snow pit approximately 2 miles east of Little Brooklyn Lake.

Location: 13 397847 E
                45 79199   N
Elevation: 10,323 ft
Air Temp: 10° C
Light snowfall with no wind
Total Snow Depth: 42”
Slope Angle: 25 degrees SE facing

Snow Pit Data

42” new snow, 10°C
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38” soft layer, fist hardness, 20°C
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24 ½” hard layer, 2 finger hardness, 30°C
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23 ½” soft layer, 3 finger hardness, 30°C
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20 ½” hard pack layer, 1 finger hardness, 30°C
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19 ½” depth hoar, large granular crystals, 0° C at ground

Shovel Shear Test
The snow pack failed with moderate pressure at the 24 ½” hard layer
The next failure was at the depth hoar layer with more pressure.

Car Count
AM      Corner Mnt: 1    Little Laramie: 0  Below Cattleguard: 57   Above Cattleguard: 25        Green Rock: 3   Above GreenRock: 23
PM      Corner Mnt: 3    Little Laramie: 0  Below Cattleguard: 60   Above Cattleguard: 17        Green Rock: 6   Above GreenRock: 26