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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Thu, April 28th, 2011 - 7:00AM
Expires
Fri, April 29th, 2011 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Wendy Wagner
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

Good afternoon backcountry travelers. This is Wendy Wagner with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center on Thursday, April 28th at 6pm. We are no longer issuing daily avalanche advisories for 2010-2011 season however, this does not mean that the avalanche season is finished. See below for an update for the Turnagain Arm area (this does not apply to highways, railroads, or operating ski areas).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Turnagain Pass will close to motorized use after April 30th.

This will be the final update for the 2010-2011 season.

AVALANCHE UPDATE

The message right now is simple:

Avalanche conditions are currently unpredictable and dangerous. Stay out of, and out from under, steep snow covered slopes.

The spring melt-down, or ‘shed cycle’, has begun.

The snowpack is prime for NATURAL wet slab avalanches and easily initiated HUMAN TRIGGERED avalanches. Widespread wet slabs are beginning to release on their own and at various times of the day. These have been seen on all aspects and mostly below 3500′ in elevation. However, the elevation should creep up as this cycle continues over the next few days and into early May.

Many savvy folks and avalanche experts are staying away from the mountains for the next week or so as the snowpack adjusts to the springtime thaw. The majority of avalanches seen recently are large and unsurvivable. A little patience is warranted until we stop seeing these large wet slides.

A few more photos HERE and HERE.

For those getting out hiking, know what type of terrain you are near, under and whether there is snow above you. These wet snow avalanches have the potential to run to valley floors and cover hiking trails.

WEATHER ROUNDUP

For all things weather see the CNFAIC weather page!

Thank you for checking the avalanche advisories this season. Have a great spring and summer!

Thanks to our sponsors!
Thu, April 28th, 2011
Alpine
Above 2,500'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'		 Avalanche risk
No Rating (0)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'		 Avalanche risk
No Rating (0)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'		 Avalanche risk
No Rating (0)
Danger Scale:
No Rating (0)
Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Observations
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Riding Areas
Updated Sat, September 23rd, 2023

Status of riding areas across the Chugach NF is managed by the Glacier and Seward Ranger Districts, not avalanche center staff. Riding area information is posted as a public service to our users and updated based on snow depth and snow density to prevent resource damage at trailhead locations. Riding area questions contact: mailroom_r10_chugach@fs.fed.us

Area Status Weather & Riding Conditions
Glacier District
Johnson Pass
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Placer River
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Turnagain Pass
Closed
Scheduled opening on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving per Chugach National Forest plan. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Twentymile
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Lost Lake Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Primrose Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Summit Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.

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This is a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area. This advisory does not apply to highways, railroads or operating ski areas.

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