Chugach State Park

Recent Avalanches: Over the past week, we have had six observations in the Chugach State Park with no documented natural or human-triggered avalanches.  Similar to last week- poor snow surface conditions and unideal weather have been most likely contributing to low traffic in the range.  However, it is supposed to be clear with minimal wind this weekend so the Chugach State Park might see more traffic.

We rely heavily on public observations so if anyone gets out this weekend, especially somewhere in a less travel zone (for example the Bidarka Peak observation from this week, what a cool tour), let us know what you are seeing out there. We always appreciate any information you all have to share.  Thank you!

Weather Recap: The weather theme of this week has been wind. Last weekend, we received 7-9″ of light, low-density snow. That snow has been picked up and moved around from the sustained wind events. At the beginning of the week (Friday, February 23rd, and Saturday, February 24th) the mountains saw sustained 15-30mph winds predominately from the SSE. On the 24th, the predominant wind direction switched to NW through the NE with sustained 15-30mph winds.  Then two more wind events hit the range- sustained SSE 15- 40mph winds on the 26th and then ending the week with sustained north to northwest 20-60mph winds. Temperatures over the last week ranged from -10F to 32F  (dipping as low as -20F on Friday morning, March 1st in the valley bottom of the South Fork of Eagle River -brr!).

Snow depth remains variable across the range from bare ground to up to 10′ of snow depth. It is getting increasingly more difficult to find snow that has not been wind-affected.

Weather Forecast: The weather this weekend is forecast to be colder temperatures with calm winds and predominately clear skies. Temperatures are forecast to be in the negative single digits Saturday morning and then will rise to the mid-teens by Sunday night. Saturday looks like there will be mostly clear skies. Cloud cover should increase starting Sunday afternoon into the evening. Winds are forecast to be light for the Front Range- between 0-10 mph from the northeast.

Wind-scoured Glen Alps Recreational Area. Photo: 2.28.24

Cross-loaded wind slopes in South Fork of Eagle River. Photo:2.27.24

Wind Slabs:  Wind slab avalanches are the main concern going into the weekend.  The 7″-9″ of light low-density snow that came in last weekend was easy for the wind to pick up and move.   We had several wind events (winds from both the SE and the N and NW).  As mentioned in the bottom line, to identify areas with wind slabs, feel for firmer, hollow snow on the surface. Carefully evaluate cross-loaded gullies, wind-loading off of ridges, and rollover features, and be on the lookout for shooting cracks. Keep in mind that stiffer wind slabs can fail once you are farther out onto the slope and can surprise you. Using small test slopes can be a good way to check whether wind slabs are reactive to human triggers in the area you are traveling.

A common wind-loaded face in the Front Range that gets high traffic use is the northwest face of Flattop just behind Blueberry Knoll. The surrounding area is a lower-angle non-consequential terrain. However, this particular slope is steep enough to slide and is wind-loaded right now. It has been common in the past for hikers to want to cut up through this slope to save some time, yet this area has the potential to avalanche and bury a person. Over the years, there have been several incidents on this particular face.  With nice hiking weather in the forecast this weekend, we wanted to highlight this particular recurring incident spot.

Jessie Janowski kicked off a shooting crack on a test slope. Photo: 2.28.24

Wind-textured snow at the base of False Peak. Photo: 2.28.24

Persistent Slabs: We are still monitoring a few different persistent weak layers buried in the snowpack. In our False Peak observation on Thursday, we noted a concerning snowpack structure in one of our snowpits. There are several facet layers (weak, sugary snow)  that we are keeping an eye on that are more pronounced at higher elevations. These types of layers have the lingering potential to cause an avalanche if you happen to find the trigger point in a thinner spot in the snowpack. The last known avalanches suspected to break on a weak layer within the snowpack were the South Fork of Eagle River natural hard slab avalanches on February 12th-13th, 2024.