BNSF Avalanche Safety was out this morning observing our terrain from Highway 2. We saw this avalanche on the southwest face of Elk mountain (photo 1) while driving near the Snowslip Inn. We suspect it ran sometime early this morning. Visibility was limited and we couldn't travel to the site, but would estimate this to be about D2 size with a crown height nearing 1 m, maybe more in places. Can't help but wonder if this stepped down to the early Dec. facets? We did not observe any other avalanches of this size during our drive. We did see some very small loose dry sluffs on steep slopes that were getting direct sun. Up near Marias Pass there were a few very small windslabs that released on steep cut banks right below the rail grade. Might have been triggered by the plows (photo 2).
Road obs along Hwy 2, Essex to Marias Pass.
