Middle Fork Joy Ride

Went for an afternoon drive in the Middle Fork to look for more evidence of the avalanche cycle that occured on the night of the 21st-22nd.

• We saw many large to very large avalanches, loose wet and slab, that likely failed during the atmospheric river event on the night of the 21st. Most were on north, northeast, or northwest aspects below about 7,000'.
• We saw periods of blowing snow on the summits of Great Bear, Penrose, and Nyack mountains from southwest winds. The peaks where we saw wind transport are all above 7,000' and have large, open slopes that collect snow on the windward side - called "fetches" - where winds can pick up snow to deposit in leeward terrain. It was hard to say from afar if the wind was consistent enough to create new wind slabs in alpine terrain. We would see blowing snow for a few minutes and then not see it moments later. The upwind slopes of many peaks still had snow in the trees indicating that the wind was not moving snow there. Our highest wind station, just west on Mt. Aeneas recorded moderate winds most of the day, so there may be new wind slabs forming in the highest terrain.
• We found 5 to 7mm surface hoar on vehicles and road side at lower elevations.
• People were out enjoying the sunshine and several parking areas were chocked full of cars.