Trip Planning for Island Park

On 5/4/24 Skiers triggered large wet loose slides on the Fin near Cooke City

From IG mesasge (4/6): "Some wet action at arange peak near Sawtell yesterday. From slope Dave and I did our first pit on Monday. Lots of release in that new old interface but didn’t see anything releasing down deeper." Photo: Z. Bailey

From email:" photo of mostly cloudy skies. 53 deg F while driving through IP at around 4pm" Photo: M. Staples

We saw a small natural avalanche below Reas Peak on a northerly aspect. Photo: GNFAC

We saw two avalanches below Reas Peak on North aspects that were likely triggered by snowmobilers. Photo: GNFAC

We saw two recent natural avalanches that broke below the wind-drifted snow in Jefferson Bowl. Photo: GNFAC

We saw two recent natural avalanches that broke below the wind-drifted snow in Jefferson Bowl. Photo: GNFAC

We saw a natural avalanche that broke near Yale Creek on a southern aspect that broke below the recent snow. Photo: GNFAC

From obs: "No details, came upon them while riding and making observations of the terrain. One was North-Northeast, the other was North-Northwest facing. Across the drainage from each other. Also, notice three other small avalanches on a west facing slope, about two miles east of the first two. All five were on slopes well over 30. In the centennial mountains, close to the continental on the Idaho/Montana border."

From obs: "No details, came upon them while riding and making observations of the terrain. One was North-Northeast, the other was North-Northwest facing. Across the drainage from each other. Also, notice three other small avalanches on a west facing slope, about two miles east of the first two. All five were on slopes well over 30. In the centennial mountains, close to the continental on the Idaho/Montana border."

Riders snapped a photo of natural avalanche activity above Blue Creek in the Centennial Mountains. Photo: P Rockwell

A small avalanche that was triggered by riders on 02/08/2024. Photo: GNFAC

This avalanche was triggered by riders a few days ago. This was a small slope and broke 100' wide and 2-3' deep. Photo: GNFAC 

Snowmobilers in Hell Roaring Creek saw a few natural avalanches that happened in the last week. The exact date is unknown.  Photo: B. Schleicher

Snowmobilers in Hell Roaring Creek saw a few natural avalanches that happened in the last week. The exact date is unknown.  Photo: B. Schleicher

Snowmobilers in Hell Roaring Creek saw a few natural avalanches that happened in the last week. The exact date is unknown.  Photo: B. Schleicher

This on one of over 15 avalanches snowmobilers saw today, 01/30/2024. These avalanches likely happened on 01/29 or the morning of 01/30. Photo. N.

This on one of over 15 avalanches snowmobilers saw today, 01/30/2024. These avalanches likely happened on 01/29 or the morning of 01/30. Photo. N.

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A rider triggered this avalanche while side-hilling across the bottom of the slope. The rider was able to quickly turn downhill and avoid the slide. No one was caught. Photo: Anonymous

A rider triggered this avalanche while side-hilling across the bottom of the slope. The rider was able to quickly turn downhill and avoid the slide. No one was caught. Photo: Anonymous

On Sawtelle Peak, Island Park, when the clouds lifted we could see a crown of a snowmobiler triggered slide that occurred yesterday. It broke on the buried surface hoar and facets about 1.5 feet under the surface. Recent snow and wind-loading has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Photo: GNFAC

On Sawtelle Peak, Island Park, when the clouds lifted we could see a crown of a snowmobiler triggered slide that occurred yesterday. It broke on the buried surface hoar and facets about 1.5 feet under the surface. Recent snow and wind-loading has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Photo: GNFAC

On Sawtelle Peak, Island Park, when the clouds lifted we could see a crown of a snowmobiler triggered slide that occurred yesterday. It broke on the buried surface hoar and facets about 1.5 feet under the surface. Recent snow and wind-loading has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Photo: GNFAC

Snowpit at the Head of Hellroaring Creek on 1/7/24. Note the two stripes of surface hoar in the pit wall.

We measured 16" of low-density snow equaling 0.7" of snow water equivalent at higher elevations in the Centennial Mountains of Island Park, ID. The new snow is sitting on a couple of layers of feathery surface hoar and a weak snowpack. It will not take much wind, settlement, or new snow to push the snowpack to the breaking point. Photo: GNFAC

New snow in Island Park made for beautiful views and heightened avalanche danger as the new snow fell on a snowpack riddled with weak layers. Photo: GNFAC

Doug Chabot walking off Lionhead Ridge to a snowpit site.

We snowmobiled up to 9,000' on Sawtelle peak, then skied to dig a couple pits. Our first pit was on an East aspect on a heavily wind loaded slope. The HS was 130cm (or 4.2 feet). There was 8" of new snow equal to 0.85" SWE, sitting over old consolidated snow that made up a slab over soft, weak facets about 50cm off the ground. We had ECTP24 x2 break on the old weak snow.... Photo: GNFAC

We snowmobiled up to 9,000' on Sawtelle peak on 12/23/23. The snow depth at 8,800' was 3-4 feet. Photo: GNFAC

Riders saw large surface hoar crystals while riding outside of Island Park. Photo. B.Schleicher

From IG on 12/10: "2 slides we triggered remotely in tepee yesterday"

From facebook message: "North facing slope 15 miles south of west Yellowstone probably 30ish degree slope. Probably 16-18 inch slab". Photo: T. Taubman

We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

Fugawee Snowmobile Club Assembling New Beacon Checkers. Photo: Kent

Went to do maintenance on the Sawtelle Snowfall weather station at 8800 ft just off the Sawtelle Mountain Road. Continuous snowcover starts around 8000 ft. At 8800 ft there is ~20" of snow with a mix of hard crusts and weak facets. These weak layers near the ground will be something to watch once snows again. Photo: GNFAC