Field Report
Front Range - CO
Report Information
In the most sheltered northeast-facing slopes, below treeline, the snowpack is about 2.50-3 feet deep and unsupportive. Probing with a ski pole in these areas was virtually effortless. In more exposed areas, near treeline, the snowpack is deeper, wind-affected(drifted/eroded), and mostly supportive. Recently drifted snow was shallow and would crack on some leeward slopes. Southeast slopes have started, but not completely, to transition into a spring-like snowpack. A recent large(D2) avalanche was observed in steep wind-drifted terrain near the bottom of "Little Pikes Coulior". Also, there was some cornice or Loose Dry debris in "The Bowl" or " Cornice Run" above Glen Cove.
Pike Peak Massif
I traveled up through the old ski area to the Southeast side of Elk Park Knoll.
Avalanches
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Date | # | Elev | Asp | Type | Trig | SizeR | SizeD | Problem Type | Location |
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03/19/2025
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2 | >TL | E | U | N | R2 | D1.5 | Unknown |
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Date and Time
03/19/2025 -
12:00pm
(estimated)
Location
38.876
-105.065
Slope Angle
35 degrees
Sliding Surface
U
Weak Layer
Unknown
Weak Layer Type
Unknown
Area Description
Cornice above Glen Cove.
Avalanche Comments
Large chunks mid-path could be from cornice fall that triggered a Loose Dry or Wind Slab. The flanks are visible but slightly drifted in. No notable crown. |
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03/19/2025
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1 | >TL | NE | U | N | U | D2 | Unknown |
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Date and Time
03/19/2025 -
12:00pm
(estimated)
Location
38.876
-105.065
Slope Angle
45 degrees
Sliding Surface
U
Weak Layer
Unknown
Weak Layer Type
Unknown
Area Description
Near the Bottom of "Little Pikes Couloir".
Avalanche Comments
Viewed from ~4.5 miles away. |
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Multiple Avalanches
Snowpack
On North and East aspects, the snowpack is still cold and made up of winter-esque structures. The average depth is around 3 feet but varies across sheltered and exposed terrain features. One drifted slope measured almost 6 feet and was a very firm slab through the upper 4 feet sitting over softer, weaker facets near the ground.
On Southerly aspects, meltwater has pooled and refrozen in a few layers in upper portions of the snowpack and measured 3 feet in the deepest spots with mature facets near the ground. This week's dramatic warm-up should force meltwater to the ground on southerly snow-covered slopes. Potentially see melt water creeping through upper layers on north aspects.
Weather
Sunny, warm, and eroding winds blowing snow onto Southeast slopes.