Public Observation - Grinnell Mountain, Glacier National Park

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Grinnell Mountain, Glacier National Park
Region: 
Outside of the Advisory Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 11/26/2016 - 12:05
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Took advantage of the still open Many Glacier road and went into Grinnell Glacier basin looking to climb some ice or climb/ski a peak. Walked the summer trail until we could finally ski at about 5500 feet. Snowpack depths varied a lot, but generally found 2-4 feet of snow above this elevation. Moderate to strong west winds blew much of the day. Some cross-loading was occuring in sheltered pockets on the terrain, but for the most part slopes were getting scoured. We were able to ski cut and stomp a few small, recently loaded slopes with minimal results, only minor cracking, if that. Overall the new wind slabs were stubborn and unreactive. We saw only one small crown (D1.5) on the headwall above Grinnell Glacier. Otherwise no other avalanche activity was observed. There wasn't much for climbable ice in the basin. Instead we skied the SE face of Grinnell Mountain.  

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
More detailed information about the weather: 

Mostly cloudy in the morning but by the afternoon we were enjoying clear and sunny skies. Moderate west winds with occasional strong gusts (30+ mph at times). No precip all day. Relatively warm. Above freezing in the valley bottom (4500 ft) and would estimate high 20s-low 30s deg F above 7500 ft in the afternoon.

Activity: 
Skiing