Marion Lakes Observation

Location Name: 
Marion Lakes
Observation date: 
Sunday, January 5, 2020 - 14:00

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

- Variable moderate winds upper elevations in the afternoon.  

-Snow pit dug at 6100 feet, first CT test had a CT1, Q1 Sudden Collapse 11 cm down on storm snow.  Appeared to be on a layer of stellers (no rain crust)  CT2, Q1 Sudden Planer 96 cm down on a layer which was hard to identify but seemed to be some depth hoar that was rounding.  Snow depth was 122cm.

-decided to stay in the trees after snow pit obs. and traveled on several aspects up to 6700ft.  Snow was soft,  there was wind scouring at top of ridges generally depositing snow on North aspects.

-another party reported a small crown 8 inch wind slab when they dropped in, on the northwest side of the lake.  

 

 

 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Route Description: 

Marion Lakes

Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
SE
S
SW
W
Red Flags: 
Blowing snow
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Depth Hoar
Buried
Total Snow Depth: 
122
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
See quick observation comments
Blowing Snow: 
Moderate
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Mostly Cloudy (BRK)