Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

Archives
ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Wed, November 2nd, 2011 - 7:00AM
Expires
Thu, November 3rd, 2011 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Wendy Wagner
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

This is Wendy Wagner with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center on Wednesday, November 2nd. The following is a quick discussion as snow begins to pile up in the mountains east of Anchorage and areas of the Kenai.

Between Saturday October 29th and Tuesday November 1st around 1-2 feet of low density snow has fallen in the Turnagain Pass area and CNFAIC Staff parts on the Kenai. Low visibility yesterday kept folks, and observations, below treeline. The Good news at Turnagain Pass is minor sluffing within the new snow was the primary concern and stability tests showed good bonding between the new and old snow surface. However, what is happening in CNFAIC Staff areas and above treeline on the steeper slopes is still suspect. Winds will (and likely did) have an easy time forming wind slabs and soft slabs prime for avalanches.

Looking forward into the latter part of the week, watch for easily triggerable soft slabs and wind slabs on and off ridgelines. Winds are forecast to increase and can increase the avalanche potential without new snowfall. There is plenty of snow to slide and shallow snowpacks are just as, if not more, dangerous than deep snowpacks.

Remember the basics; only one person on a slope at a time, don’t forget your beacon, shovel, and probe, travel with a partner and evaluate the snow conditions as you go. Double check all your gear is working properly, such as, get that beacon some new batteries and make sure your probe is not rusted shut. It’s time to get our avalanche eyeballs out!

We are headed into a brief high pressure as anCNFAIC Staff system is forecast to arrive later this week. Any new snow and wind will increase the avalanche danger.

This advisory will continue to be updated irregularly until we have the resources to resume a daily schedule. Check back for updates and keep sending us your observations from the backcountry.

Thanks to our sponsors!
Wed, November 2nd, 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
Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass
Date Region Location
05/22/23 Turnagain Avalanche: Tincan
05/12/23 Turnagain Avalanche: Tincan, Sunburst, Magnum, Cornbiscuit
05/07/23 Turnagain Observation: Tincan – Bear Tracks
05/05/23 Turnagain Observation: Seattle Ridge
05/02/23 Turnagain Observation: Cornbiscuit
05/02/23 Turnagain Observation: Seward Hwy Turnagain Pass
04/30/23 Turnagain Observation: Magnum
04/29/23 Turnagain Observation: Tincan
04/28/23 Turnagain Avalanche: Taylor Pass/Pastoral
04/28/23 Turnagain Avalanche: Tincan
Riding Areas
Updated Mon, May 15th, 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
Closed May 15.
Placer River
Closed
Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass
Open
Chugach NF staff will be assessing daily after May 15th. Please keep machines on the snow and avoid brown spots to keep this area open as long as possible.
Twentymile
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.

Subscribe to Turnagain Pass
Avalanche Forecast by Email

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.