Trip Planning for Northern Madison
Past 5 Days
Moderate
Low
None
None
None
Relevant Avalanche Activity
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0
Found some reactive fresh windslabs that were on northeast terrain features yesterday Wednesday 4/9 easily triggered with a very small cornice we dropped in the northern Madison range, the pocket slabs didn’t propagate super wide but did pack a punch and were up to 1 ft deep.
More Avalanche Details
Relevant Photos
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The slope at the my skis broke about 15-20 meters wide and 15 cm deep at the flanks to 40cm deep in the gut, SS-ASu-R1-D1.5-I-M(L)-TK. About 30 meters downhill, the slab rode up onto the new snow and ran out of momentum before reaching the runout. Photo: J Negri
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In Gallatin Canyon we saw some wet slides in the chutes/gullies south of Lava Lake. Photo: USFS Snow Rangers
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Understanding Avalanche Safety Preparedness – 5-Minute Survey for Motorized Users
We need your input! Eastern Oregon University is conducting a survey to better understand avalanche safety preparedness among motorized backcountry users like you. Your feedback will help us learn more about who is purchasing and practicing with avalanche rescue gear (beacon, probe, shovel) and participating in avalanche education—and why some riders aren’t. The survey is confidential and anonymous.
Your feedback is invaluable in improving avalanche education and awareness. Please take a moment to share your experience and help us make a difference.
https://eoustmhs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3L8QKAuZzcxJBLo
Thank you for your time and for being a part of this important effort!
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On Mar 22 There was a small wind slab avalanche in McAtee (Photo) and a small wind slab in Beaver Creek. Photo: GNFAC
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We triggered two small and shallow wind slabs that didn't go anywhere, but they were a warning of bigger wind slabs on bigger slopes
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We triggerd two small and shallow wind slabs that didn't go anywhere but were a warning of what you could find on bigger slopes.
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Came across a old slide in the hell roaring drainage heading towards Gallatin. East facing. Happened sometime before the recent snow but not long ago. Initial crown seemed to be 12-18 inches and stepped down further down the slope. Was a fairly large debris pile. Photo: S Knowles
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Old Avalanche spotted from Wilson yesterday looking North. Possible cornice fall trigger during the warm up but difficult to tell as it was quite a ways away. Photo attached. Photo: Anonymous
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PWL avalanche (R3-D2), east-facing, deep in Muddy Creek. This was drifted in and likely broke around 2.5 weeks ago during the last significant storm cycle. Photo: GNFAC
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We dug a snowpit near the lower flank of the avalanche path and noted that these weak layers had gained strength over time. We did get propagation on a stout melt-freeze crust near the surface (ECTP5) but did not get propagation lower down on faceted grains. Photo: GNFAC
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We saw a small north-facing avalanche in the First Yellow Mule (R1-D1) that was snowmobile triggered. It looked to be around a week old. Photo: GNFAC
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Natural point release avalanche observed from the YC. Occurred out of bounds on the South side of Pioneer Mountain. Photo: YC Ski Patrol
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From obs.: "Saw a recent cornice triggered wind slab off of Hardscrabble Peak, crown looked fairly fresh. There was a second crown line below the rock band. Conditions were very windy, with snow still being transported. Most snow surfaces were wind affected, but saw no cracking or collapsing." Photo: F. Miller
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Cracking in the new and wind-drifted snow on the Ridge of Middle Basin. These resulted in a narrow avalanche that ran quite far.
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Photo: GNFAC
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Buck Ridge, snowmobile triggered avalanche. Propagated in the storm slab. Photo: C Erhard
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Swift Current lift shut down all day Wednesday 2/5/25 by ski patrol
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On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. Photo: GNFAC
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On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. Photo: GNFAC
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Strong winds blew all day from the SW, sustaining 30mph at ridgelines. Snow was actively transported all day by winds, and plumes were visible on far away ridgelines and summits. Photo: GNFAC
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This slab from my ski cut was about 20” deep and 60’ wide. It’s NE facing so pretty wind blown. Photo: S Budac
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Cracking and isolated pockets of wind slab in Beehive.
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Human triggered release of cornice overhang near the weather station on Buck Ridge. Recent activity next to the small release. Crown 1-2’ deep, 40’ run, 75’ across running over the tracks riding underneath in the recent wind transported slab.
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We also spotted a small, snowmobile triggered avalanche on a steep, east facing slope in Muddy Creek. Photo: USFS Snow Rangers
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Saw this cool illustration of wind deposition, scouring and unaffected snow on a ridge line near the top of Bear Creek at the far end of Buck Ridge. Photo: USFS Snow Rangers
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Photo: M R
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The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC
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The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC
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Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.
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Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.
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Jan 24, Buck Ridge... We dug on an E facing slope at 9,400'. Snow depth was 155cm (5 feet) and we had an ECTN12 on the surface hoar layer 10" down. Photo GNFAC
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Large wind transport in Spanish peaks. Photo: T Blakeway
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Surface hoar was on the snow surface today. It likely wont' survive to be buried. Sunshine on south aspects was already destroying it.
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Snowpit and ECT result from small slope just above Beehive Creek at 8200 ft.
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Facets in thinner snowpack areas are larger, weaker, and could possibly cause an avalnache
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Snowpit from the top of Tyler's slope in Beehive Basin, W facing, 9200 ft. This is representative of an area with thin snow that is weaker
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On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, a Yellowstone Club (YC) Ski Patroller triggered an avalanche on a wind-loaded slope which released on his second turn. The slide broke 2-4 feet deep, 300 feet wide and carried him through a terrain trap of thick trees. He was partially buried 300 vertical feet below in the toe of the debris. His partners reached him within three minutes, but the trauma was fatal.
The YCSP created a non-profit to remember their colleague and friend, Darren Johnson. And, to support ski patrollers across the country by providing scholarships for avalanche education and attendance at the National Avalanche School.
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The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP
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The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP
Videos- Northern Madison
WebCams
8800' Camera, Lone Peak view
Yellowstone Club, Timberline Chair
Weather Stations- Northern Madison
Weather Forecast Northern Madison
Extended Forecast for5 Miles NNW Big Sky MT
Today
High: 35 °F
Snow Showers
Likely then
Slight Chance
Snow ShowersTonight
Low: 25 °F
Slight Chance
Snow Showers
then Partly
CloudyTuesday
High: 40 °F
Partly Sunny
then Snow
ShowersTuesday Night
Low: 24 °F
Snow Showers
then Slight
Chance Snow
ShowersWednesday
High: 37 °F
Chance Snow
ShowersWednesday Night
Low: 24 °F
Partly Cloudy
Thursday
High: 47 °F
Sunny
Thursday Night
Low: 30 °F
Mostly Clear
Friday
High: 54 °F
Sunny
The Last Word
Thank you for another successful season. Our success is directly related to support from our community and the Forest Service. Thanks to the readers of the forecast, everyone that sent in observations, took an avalanche class, or donated money, time or gear. We will issue conditions updates on Mondays and Fridays through April.
GENERAL SPRING SNOWPACK AND TRAVEL ADVICE
Spring weather can be highly variable and create a mix of avalanche problems. Snow conditions and stability can change drastically from day to day or hour to hour. Anticipate rapid change and plan accordingly. Abundant snowfall over the winter with more spring snow to come makes avalanches possible into summer.
NEW SNOW AND WIND LOADED SLOPES
Spring storms are notorious for depositing heavy amounts of snow in the mountains. Even with a deep and generally stable snowpack throughout the advisory area, heavy and rapid loads of new snow will decrease stability. The main problems to look out for are avalanches breaking within the new snow, wind slabs, and loose snow avalanches. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche spikes during and immediately after snowstorms. New snow instabilities tend to stabilize quickly, but it’s a good idea to give fresh snow a day to adjust before hitting big terrain. New snow instabilities can be challenging to assess, and spring storms bond to old snow differently across aspects and elevations. Conservative terrain selection is essential during and immediately following storms. Avoid wind-loaded slopes and slopes steeper than 35 degrees for 24-48 hours after new snow and wind.
New snow can quickly change from dry to wet on a spring day, and stability can decrease rapidly with above freezing temperatures or brief sunshine. New snow may bond well early in the morning and then easily slide later. Wet loose slides are likely during the first above freezing temperatures or sunshine immediately after a storm. Anticipate changes in snow stability as you change aspect or elevation and over the course of the day. An early start is always an advantage. Be ready to change plans or move to safer terrain at the first signs of decreasing stability.
WET SNOW AVALANCHES
Spring and wet snow avalanches go hand-in-hand. Above freezing temperatures, rain, and/or intense sunshine cause the snow to become wet and weak and make wet avalanches easy to trigger or release naturally. Conditions tend to become most unstable when temperatures stay above freezing for multiple days and nights in a row. Avoid steep terrain, and be aware of the potential for natural wet avalanches in steep terrain above you, if you see:
- Heavy rain,
- Above freezing temperatures for more than 24 hours,
- Natural wet avalanches,
- Rollerballs or pinwheels indicating a moist or wet snow surface,
- Or if you sink to your boot top in wet snow.
In general, if the snow surface freezes solid overnight, the snowpack will be stable in the morning and stability will decrease through the day as snow warms up. The snow surface hardness, rate of warming, duration of sunshine, aspect and elevation determine how fast stability will decrease through the day. Be aware that sunny aspects may have a wet snow avalanche danger while shadier slopes still have a dry snow avalanche danger. Getting off of steep slopes should be considered when, or before, the above signs of instability are present. Wet snow avalanches, whether loose snow or slabs, can be powerful, destructive and very dangerous. Conservative terrain choices, starting early in the day, and careful observations can keep you safe. See Alex’s recent video, and this article for more spring travel advice.
CORNICES
Cornices along ridgelines are massive and can break under the weight of a person (photo). Prolonged above freezing temperatures and rain make them weaker and possible to break naturally. They can break off suddenly and farther back than one might expect. Cornice falls can also entrain large amounts of loose snow or trigger slab avalanches. Stay far back from the edge of ridgelines and minimize exposure to slopes directly below cornices. Regardless of whether a cornice triggers a slide or not, a falling cornice is dangerous to anyone in its path.
DISCLAIMER
It does not matter if new snow falls or not, avalanches will continue to occur until the existing snowpack is mostly gone. Always assess the slope you plan to ride with diligence and safety in mind. Do not let your guard down. Travel with a partner, carry rescue gear and only expose one person at a time in avalanche terrain.
Have a safe and enjoyable spring and summer!
Mark, Alex, Ian and Dave
For more spring travel advice see this article from our GNFAC forecaster blog.