Public Observation - Mcginnis Creek, southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Mcginnis Creek, southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Northern (north of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 01/31/2016 - 01:00


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

STARTED OFF THE MORNING WITH SUNSHINE AND BY 12 IT WAS DROPPING TEMP.  SNOWPACK WAS WINDBLOWN, WITH A CRUSTY HARD LAYER ON TOP, TRACK WOULD PUNCH THROUGH DEPENDING ON COORDINATE OF SLOPE.  ONCE INTO HIGHER ELEVATION THE SNOWPACK BECAME SOFTER BUT VERY DENSE.  LOOKING DOWN THROUGH THE LAYERS I COULD SEE THE PROBLEMATIC ICE CRUST ABOUT 1.5-2 FEET DOWN.  EAST FACING SLOPES WERE WIND LOADED. 

KNOCKED A 15-20 X 10 FOOT SLAB LOOSE. 

OUR GROUP WAS 2 SNOWBIKES AND 4 SLEDS.  ALL AWARE OF THE CONDITIONS WE WERE CONSERVATIVE ON OUR ROUTE FINDING AND STUCK MOSTLY TO THE MORE TREED AREAS.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
Activity: 
Snowmobiling
Precip Rate: 
S -1; very light snowfall, trace to 0.5cm/hour