Trip Planning for Cooke City Area

as of 5:00 am
May 12″ | 10-35 SW
Apr 30 4″ | 15-48 W
Apr 29 1″ | 5-29 SW
10020′     05/01 at 24:00
12.2℉
NW - 11mph
Gusts 23 mph
9100′     05/02 at 00:00
16℉
70″ Depth
Primary Problem: New Snow
Bottom Line: Over the next few days avalanches will primarily involve the recent snow and more snow that falls. Large wet slabs, and wet-loose avalanches deeper than the new snow, are not as likely the next few days. The variable and quickly changing spring weather creates a mix of avalanche concerns to watch for. The snowpack can change drastically from day to day, throughout the day, and across different aspects and elevations. Carefully evaluate the snowpack throughout the day, and have alternate plans in case you find unstable snow. Lower elevations are showing dirt and grass, but snow in the mountains means avalanches are possible. Remain diligent with careful snowpack assessment and route-finding, and carry proper avalanche rescue gear.

Past 5 Days

Mon Apr 15

None
Fri Apr 19

None
Mon Apr 22

None
Fri Apr 26

None
Mon Apr 29

None

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Cooke City
Sheep Mountain
Rider/skier triggered avalanche
Incident details include images
Sheep Mountain
SS-ASu-R2-D1.5-I
Elevation: 9,500
Aspect: NE
Coordinates: 45.0722, -109.9280
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

From email 5/1/24: "Hi crew. I triggered a soft slab avalanche on the North side of Sheep Mountain today. D1.5 200’ wide ran 200’.  Crown was 6-12’’ deep. I was able to ride out of it and anchor in a safe spot. 

It broke on our 7th lap and we had seen no signs of instability prior to the avalanche but wind loading was occurring and obvious. The avalanche broke and on a dirty crust that formed during a rain event last week."


More Avalanche Details
Cooke City
COOKE CITY
Wet slabs near Cooke City/Silver Gate
Incident details include images
COOKE CITY
WS-N-R2-D2.5-O
Elevation: 8,500
Aspect: N
Coordinates: 45.0202, -109.9380
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Wet snow activity on Wall Mountain near Silver Gate, Republic Mtn. and Henderson Bench near Cooke.


More Avalanche Details
Cooke City
Republic Mountain
Loose Snow Avalanches Republic Mountain
Incident details include images
Republic Mountain
L-AS-R1-D1
Aspect: NE
Coordinates: 45.0003, -109.9540
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

A skier triggered multiple loose snow avalanches while skiing near the Fin off of Republic Mountain in Cooke City. 


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • From email 5/1/24: "Hi crew. I triggered a soft slab avalanche on the North side of Sheep Mountain today. D1.5 200’ wide ran 200’.  Crown was 6-12’’ deep. I was able to ride out of it and anchor in a safe spot. 

    It broke on our 7th lap and we had seen no signs of instability prior to the avalanche but wind loading was occurring and obvious. The avalanche broke and on a dirty crust that formed during a rain event last week."

  • Photos of what appears like a wet slab possibly from Friday (4/26) when the precip. started after the first night or two of poor freeze (Henderson Bench). Photo GNFAC

  • Photos of what appear like wet slabs possibly from Friday (4/26) when the precip. started after the first night or two of poor freeze (North side of Republic near Cooke City). Photo GNFAC

  • On 4/26/24 large natural wet slabs were seen running on Wall Mountain near Silver Gate. An observer from Beartooth Powder Guides sent us a video of them happening at 3pm while it was 43 degrees F. I also noted a similar large crown on the north side of Republic Mtn. that probably also happened this afternoon. Photo: GNFAC

  • On 4/26/24 large natural wet slabs were seen running on Wall Mountain near Silver Gate. An observer from Beartooth Powder Guides sent us a video of them happening at 3pm while it was 43 degrees F. I also noted a similar large crown on the north side of Republic Mtn. that probably also happened this afternoon. Photo: GNFAC

  • On 4/26/24 large natural wet slabs were seen running on Wall Mountain near Silver Gate. An observer from Beartooth Powder Guides sent us a video of them happening at 3pm while it was 43 degrees F. I also noted a similar large crown on the north side of Republic Mtn. that probably also happened this afternoon.

  • On 4/26/24 large natural wet slabs were seen running on Wall Mountain near Silver Gate. An observer from Beartooth Powder Guides sent us a video of them happening at 3pm while it was 43 degrees F. I also noted a similar large crown on the north side of Republic Mtn. that probably also happened this afternoon. Photo: GNFAC

  • From IG on 04/26/2024 Photo: Beartooth Powder Guides

  • A skier triggered this sluff in a steep chute east of Republic Mountain. Photo: B

  • Skiers triggered a small sluff in steep terrain while skiing on the Fin near Republic Mountain. Photo: B. 

  • Riders saw this wet slab avalanche on the SE shoulder of Mount Abundance. The avalanche likely happened a few days ago during prolonged above-freezing temperatures. Photo: R.

  • Riders saw this wet slab avalanche on the SE shoulder of Mount Abundance. The avalanche likely happened a few days ago during prolonged above-freezing temperatures. Photo: R.

  • From obs: "Natural cornice failure and small slab on Iceberg Peak’s NE face. We skied by the day prior and judging by what the wind did to our tracks overnight, this looked like it happened in the morning." Photo A. Joy

  • A snowboarder saw this natural avalanche on the Fin from Cooke City. He estimated it happened between 10:30-1:30 and broke 2' deep. Photo: N. Mattes

  • We triggered this small avalanche on a steep windloaded rollover on an otherwise mellow slope. This avalanche was 15-20' wide, 8" deep, and ran for about 30-40 vertical feet. The skier easily skied away from the slide and was not caught. Photo: GNFAC

  • From obs: "skiing north of cooke city today observed this Small windslab on a South facing slope ~9800 ft." G. Roe
     

     

  • Skiers triggered this small windslab while skinning near a steeprollover at the top of an East facing slope above Zimmer Creek. Crown was ~20 ft wide and ran a similar distance. 2"-10" at the deepest. Photo: G. Roe

  • Skiers south of Cooke City saw a recent likely cornice-triggered avalanche on a northeast face. During their tour, they saw a small part of the same cornice fall off and trigger another small avalanche. Photo: B. Daley

     

  • A snowboarder intentionally triggered a wind-slab avalanche on Town Hill in Cooke City that broke 6-10” deep and approximately 30’ wide. It ran about 40 vertical feet. Photo: R. Youngbar

  • On the east side of Woody Ridge, skiers watched a wet, loose snow avalanche trigger a dry slab avalanche on March 17. photo: N Iltis

  • On the east side of Woody Ridge, skiers watched a wet, loose snow avalanche trigger a dry slab avalanche on March 17. photo: N Iltis

  • We saw no new deep slab avalanches in Cooke City since Alex was there last week. Unfortunately, if you triggered one, it would be no less deadly. This was a large deep slab avalanche on Sheep Mountain. Photo: GNFAC

  • Wet loose snow avalanche Astral Lake. Photo: GNFAC

  • A wet loose snow avalanche on Crown Butte. Photo: GNFAC

  • On 3/10/24 Between Miller and Wolverine there was a recent large avalanche that I would guess was triggered yesterday. 3-6' deep, 250-300' wide. Photo: GNFAC

  • On 3/10/24 Low on Daisy Road along the steep creek walls we saw three recent 2' deep avalanches. each 70-100' wide. HS-R4-D2-O. This one looked within the last day or two and the other two were maybe 3-4 days old. Triggers unknown, there were various ages of sled/snowbike tracks nearby. Photo: GNFAC

  • On 3/10/24 Low on Daisy Road along the steep creek walls we saw three recent 2'+ deep avalanches. each 70-100' wide. HS-R4-D2-O. This one maybe 3-4 days old. Triggers unknown, there were various ages of sled/snowbike tracks nearby. Photo: GNFAC

  • A natural avalanche was witnessed on the north side of Republic Mtn. on 3/9 at 4:54pm. It appeared to break around 3 feet deep. Photo: screenshot from IG, M. Simone

  • A natural avalanche was witnessed on the north side of Republic Mtn. on 3/9 at 4:54pm. It appeared to break around 3 feet deep. Photo: screenshot from IG, M. Simone

  • E aspect, 9100' Photo: B. Fredlund 

     

  • N aspect, 9600' Photo: B. Fredlund

     

  • E aspect, 8800' Photo: B. Fredlund 

     

  • SE aspect, 8800' Photo: B. Fredlund 

     

  • Skiers saw a natural avalanche that likely happened late last week in Pilot Creek. The avalanche ran 1000 feet on a SE facing slope. Photo: J. Mundt

  • A natural avalanche in Woody Creek, right by the waterfall. D2, crown was up to 5 feet deep. NE facing. Photo: J. Mundt

  • E aspect, 9100'. Photo: B. Fredlund

     

     

  • E aspect, 8800'.  Photo: B. Fredlund

     

  • SE aspect, 9000'. Photo: B. Fredlund

     

     

  • NE aspect, 9300' Photo: B. Fredlund

     

  • E aspect, 8900'. Photo: B. Fredlund

     

Videos- Cooke City Area

WebCams


Soda Butte Lodge, looking West

Soda Butte Lodge, looking East

Snowpit Profiles- Cooke City Area

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Cooke City Area

Extended Forecast for

2 Miles NNE Cooke City MT

  • Overnight

    Overnight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Wind chill values as low as zero. West wind 11 to 14 mph.

    Low: 13 °F

    Mostly Cloudy

  • Thursday

    Thursday: A 40 percent chance of snow after noon.  Partly sunny, with a high near 32. West wind 15 to 18 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    High: 32 °F

    Mostly Sunny
    then Chance
    Snow

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly before midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. West wind 8 to 15 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Low: 15 °F

    Chance Snow
    then Slight
    Chance Snow

  • Friday

    Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly after noon.  Partly sunny, with a high near 36. West northwest wind 8 to 14 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    High: 36 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Chance Snow

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. West wind 8 to 13 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.

    Low: 18 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 7 to 14 mph.

    High: 48 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow showers after midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind 10 to 16 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.  Chance of precipitation is 20%.

    Low: 32 °F

    Mostly Cloudy
    then Slight
    Chance
    Rain/Snow

  • Sunday

    Sunday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 9am, then rain showers likely. Some thunder is also possible.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Southeast wind 11 to 15 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.  Chance of precipitation is 60%.

    High: 49 °F

    Slight Chance
    Rain/Snow
    then Showers
    Likely

  • Sunday Night

    Sunday Night: Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 9pm.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. West southwest wind 9 to 14 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%.

    Low: 29 °F

    Rain/Snow
    Likely then
    Snow Showers
    Likely

The Last Word

We began our daily forecasts on December 7. 130 daily forecasts and 464 reported avalanches later, we wrapped up our daily forecasting season on April 14th. While avalanches remain a concern until the snow is in the rivers, read our SEASON SUMMARY to look back at the heart of the 2023-24 avalanche year.

04 / 26 / 24  <<  
 
this forecast
 
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