Trip Planning for Lionhead Range

Natural avalanche that occurred at Bridger early on 5/9/22. There were many similar depth natural crowns along the ridge that broke within the recent snow that fell over the weekend.

Crown of a natural avalanche that occurred at Bridger on 5/9/22. There were many similar depth natural crowns along the ridge that broke within the recent snow that fell over the weekend.

Natural wet loose avalanche in Beehive Basin. Occurred on Wednesday 5/4 after new snow fell on Tuesday.

Wet loose snow avalanches of recent 6" of snow. They likely occurred when the sun came out Wednesday morning, or at the end of the storm on Tuesday. GNFAC

"5/3/22 at approximately 4:00pm a storm slab avalanche occurred in beehive basin on a west aspect @9000 ft. This slab was 6-8” deep and propagated around 50’. No one was buried, however we aren’t sure if anyone was caught because we were not the party who triggered this avalanche. We did witness the party drop in but quick went out of sight." Photo: H. Bigos-Lowe

On 4/18/22 near Cooke City we witnessed natural rollerballs and pinwheels by 11 am, and a couple wet loose slides below cliffs on southerly slopes around noon, and were able to easily trigger pinwheels on west-southwest aspects around 1230-1pm. Photo: GNFAC

A large drift on the Ramp just north of Bridger Bowl. Photo: GNFAC

Drifts cracked and slid on steep rollovers north of Bridger Bowl. Photo: K Hammonds

We observed many wet snow avalanches in the Targhee Creek drainage near Lionhead Ridge that likely occurred between 3/26 and 3/29. Photo: GNFAC

We observed many wet snow avalanches in the Targhee Creek drainage near Lionhead Ridge that likely occurred between 3/26 and 3/29. Photo: GNFAC

We observed many wet snow avalanches in the Targhee Creek drainage near Lionhead Ridge that likely occurred between 3/26 and 3/29. Photo: GNFAC

An avalanche on Wilson Peak that caught two skiers and injured one on 4/3/22. Photo: GNFAC

Skiers noted wet slab and wet loose avalanche activity on March 28th in the mountains near Cooke City. Photo: B. Fredlund

On 3/27/22 Big Sky ski patrol witnessed many natural wet slides in closed terrain. Photo: BSSP

"We also conducted avalanche mitigation on our Cabin’s Road at 4:30pm. The snowpack in this zone doesn’t get skied and is representative of the backcountry. The slope is ENE around 8,400’. Several wet slab avalanches were produced with explosives and ski cutting. The avalanches ranged from R4/D2 to R2/D1. They all hit the road and several crossed, and buried, the Cabin’s Road. Although most of this mitigation was done with explosives, it took minimal effort with skis to get snow moving. The crowns were 2-3’ deep and ran on the ground." Photo: YCSP

"A wet loose avalanche was seen in the Apron (closed terrain that hasn’t been opened this season) around 3:00pm. It was an R2/D2 on a east facing slope around an elevation of 8,500’." Photo: YCSP

Natural wet slab avalanche on Cedar Mtn. Observed 3/26/22. Photo: J. Gerardi

From obs 3/26/22: "Freezing temps overnight created breakable crust in the morning which quickly deteriorated as the day warmed. (Temps rose surprisingly faster than we anticipated.  Experience large whumphs while ascending the NW shoulder of Electric Pk. at 9600 ft. Without hesitation we turned back and skied out the skin track. The snow became very rotten and we penetrated to boot-tops often while exiting." Photo:  S. Miller

On March 26 many natural wet slides occurred in closed terrain at Bridger Bowl. Photo: BBSP

We saw this natural avalanche on 3/19/22 appeared to be within 24 hours old and triggered by cornice fall that broke out a slab below. Northeast aspect at 8,800' on Lionhead Ridge. Photo: GNFAC

We saw this natural avalanche on 3/19/22 appeared to be within 24 hours old and triggered by cornice fall that broke out a slab below. Northeast aspect at 8,800' on Lionhead Ridge. Photo: GNFAC

We saw this natural avalanche on 3/19/22 appeared 24-48 hours old and triggered by cornice fall that broke out a slab below. North aspect at 10,000' behind the top of Targhee Creek near Lionhead. Photo: GNFAC

From email 3/13/22: "Noticed these small breaks all over the zone [on 3/12/22], mostly on south facing slopes, along with cracking near them. Easily triggered as well as lots of natural breaks. This one was just west of round lake, south facing:" Photo: S. Strenge

At Lionhead, east wind was blowing up the normal starting zones and moving snow. Once it switches westerly the wind loads will create instability. There is 10-12" of powdery snow to blow around. Photo: GNFAC

Wet slides occurred near Quake Lake on 3/3 or 3/4. Photo. T. Hansen

Wind slab avalanche on Lionhead Ridge. Approximately 50 ft wide and ran 200 vertical feet. Looks to have gouged down into lower layers below the rocks. 2/3/22. Photo: GNFAC

Small loose wet avalanches started beneath cliffs on the Lionhead Ridge. 2/3/22. Photo: GNFAC

We dug a pit at 9,000' on an east facing slope on Sawtelle Peak on 2/24/22. Our old pit from 1/12/22, almost 6 weeks ago, is still plainly visible in the foreground. It has been a dry 6 weeks!  Photo: GNFAC

From message 2/20/22: "Triggered this slide yesterday a few miles from two top. 1.5 foot crown."

From message 2/20/22: "Triggered this slide yesterday a few miles from two top. 1.5 foot crown."

This is the slope that avalanched and killed a snow bike rider (motorized) on 2/19/22. Photo is from the Search and Rescue team who were leaving the site as it was getting dark, and did not have time to gather more info. Click link below for more details. Photo: B. Zavora

We saw this fairly recent, very small cornice fall avalanche on Cedar Mtn. on 2/12/2022. Photo: GNFAC

Chris Hericks, snow ranger on Beaverhead Deerlodge NF, points to the lower of two surface hoar layers. We are finding similar layering throughout our entire forecast area. The top 18" of the snowpack is weak and will quickly become unstable when it snows. Photo: GNFAC

Crown of the avalanche on Ski Hill. The snow rangers in the photo are standing near the victim burial site. Photo: GNFAC

Looking up from the bottom of the avalanche that killed one snowmobiler on Ski Hill. The crown is visible at the top of the hill. The men in the photo are standing near the trees where the victim was buried. Photo: GNFAC

The backpack pictured marks the place where the avalanche victim was buried. Photo: GNFAC

Identifying snow crystals in the layer that failed at the crown of the avalanche on Ski Hill. The avalanche broke on weak, faceted crystals near the surface. Photo: GNFAC

Debris from the fatal avalanche on Ski Hill. The backpack marks the place where the victim came to rest. Photo: J. Norlander

Identifying and recording grain types in the snowpack at the site of the Lionhead avalanche fatality. Photo: J. Norlander