Trip Planning for Lionhead Range

as of 5:00 am
Mar 270″ | 10-25 W
Mar 26 0″ | 5-25 N
Mar 25 1″ | 10-25 NW
9420′     03/26 at 11:00
18.0℉
NW - 6mph
Gusts 25 mph
7750′     03/28 at 01:00
29℉
62″ Depth
Primary Problem: Persistent Weak Layer
Bottom Line: The avalanche potential in the southern mountains is two fold: shallow wind slabs which are easy to see, feel and mitigate, and a deeply buried weak layer which is difficult to trigger. Even though the odds of triggering one are going down it is not out of the question. As we travel into avalanche terrain, it’s not just the layers near the ground we are concerned with. Stability tests are pointing out weakness near the surface, a potential problem with more snowfall.

Past 5 Days

Sat Mar 23

Moderate
Sun Mar 24

Considerable
Mon Mar 25

Moderate
Tue Mar 26

Moderate
Wed Mar 27

Moderate

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • We noted four storm slab avalanches along Lionhead Ridge and two larger slides that broke deeper on wind loaded slopes. Photo: GNFAC

  • We noted four storm slab avalanches along Lionhead Ridge and two larger slides that broke deeper on wind loaded slopes. Photo: GNFAC

  • We noted four storm slab avalanches along Lionhead Ridge and two larger slides that broke deeper on wind loaded slopes. Photo: GNFAC

  • We noted four storm slab avalanches along Lionhead Ridge and two larger slides that broke deeper on wind loaded slopes. Photo: GNFAC

  • We noted four storm slab avalanches along Lionhead Ridge and two larger slides that broke deeper on wind loaded slopes. Photo: GNFAC

  • From IG:

    Very large natural avalanche in the Lionhead Area. Multiple other smaller naturals as well.

    Pics taken 03/05/24

  • From IG:

    Very large natural avalanche in the Lionhead Area. Multiple other smaller naturals as well.

    Pics taken 03/05/24

  • From a phone call:

    A rider saw a large avalanche in one of the bowls around the corner of Lionhead avalanched. It likely occurred on Friday, March 1. There were holes dug in the snow indicating a buried person or sled. This is the same slope that killed a 19 year old from MN on December 28, 2006. They conducted a beacon search on the debris to make sure no one was buried.

  • From a phone call:

    A rider saw a large avalanche in one of the bowls around the corner of Lionhead avalanched. It likely occurred on Friday, March 1. There were holes dug in the snow indicating a buried person or sled. This is the same slope that killed a 19 year old from MN on December 28, 2006. They conducted a beacon search on the debris to make sure no one was buried.

  • From a phone call:

    A rider saw a large avalanche in one of the bowls around the corner of Lionhead avalanched. It likely occurred on Friday, March 1. There were holes dug in the snow indicating a buried person or sled. This is the same slope that killed a 19 year old from MN on December 28, 2006. They conducted a beacon search on the debris to make sure no one was buried.

  • From a phone call:

    A rider saw a large avalanche in one of the bowls around the corner of Lionhead avalanched. It likely occurred on Friday, March 1. There were holes dug in the snow indicating a buried person or sled. This is the same slope that killed a 19 year old from MN on December 28, 2006. They conducted a beacon search on the debris to make sure no one was buried.

  • From a phone call:

    A rider saw a large avalanche in one of the bowls around the corner of Lionhead avalanched. It likely occurred on Friday, March 1. There were holes dug in the snow indicating a buried person or sled. This is the same slope that killed a 19 year old from MN on December 28, 2006. They conducted a beacon search on the debris to make sure no one was buried.

  • From a phone call:

    A rider saw a large avalanche in one of the bowls around the corner of Lionhead avalanched. It likely occurred on Friday, March 1. There were holes dug in the snow indicating a buried person or sled. This is the same slope that killed a 19 year old from MN on December 28, 2006. They conducted a beacon search on the debris to make sure no one was buried.

  • While riding below Lionhead Ridge we observed a wind slab avalanche that likely happened a few days ago. This avalanche looked to be 12" deep and broke 100' wide. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • Riders spotted this large avalanche on a west-facing aspect in Targhee Creek in the Lionhead area on Saturday. Photo: K. Stahl

  • From email: "We noticed a multitude of slides on north- and east-facing slopes, many of which seemed to have been from the prior weekend. I snapped a picture of one on the opposite side of the drainage that was a couple of feet deep. Adjacent to it was some more debris." 

  • On 2/16/24 we saw a lot of old and recent avalanches that happened at various times over the last week, and in a wide variety of terrain. On lower elevation, generally non-wind-loaded terrain in the trees we saw at least 4 avalanches that were 1-2' deep and at least 100' wide. Near ridgelines there were many avalanches, harder slabs, at least 1-2' deep breaking hundreds of feet wide. Photo: GNFAC

  • On 2/16/24 we saw a lot of old and recent avalanches that happened at various times over the last week, and in a wide variety of terrain. On lower elevation, generally non-wind-loaded terrain in the trees we saw at least 4 avalanches that were 1-2' deep and at least 100' wide. Near ridgelines there were many avalanches, harder slabs, at least 1-2' deep breaking hundreds of feet wide. Photo: GNFAC

  • We saw a fresh avalanche in Watkins Creek that we think was triggered remotely during the day on 2/16 by a group that was riding in a flat meadow above, where we saw their tracks at least 150 feet away (photo). This slide was 2-3' deep and 100-150' feet wide, breaking on old sugary snow. HS-R3-D2-O. Photo: GNFAC

  • A pit in the flank of an avalanche above Hebgen Lake. The stripe in the picture delineates the new snow over the unstable, old, faceted snow. This interface is where avalanches are occurirng. Karl Birkeland was using his 100 cm long Norwegian Battle Saw...a bit overkill. Photo: GNFAC

  • Crossing onto the debris of a large avalanche that likely released a couple days ago above Hebgen Lake. Photo: GNFAC

  • Skiers saw an entire bowl filled with shooting cracks where weak layers failed but the slope was not steep enough to avalanche. Photo: H Darby

  • An avalanche that failed a couple of days ago at Hebgen Lake. Photo: H. Darby

  • A group of riders triggered this large avalanche on Lionhead Ridge as they traveled in nearby terrain that was much less steep. Photo: T. Urell

  • From obs: "There were shooting cracks everywhere, and it looked like the cracks propagated into a slab that would have broken up more if the slope had been steeper. It almost looked like a crevasse field with how many cracks there were. Photo is included but I don't think shows just how broken up that "relatively benign" terrain was. I have never seen anything like that before! " Photo: H. Darby

  • Two natural avalanches that likely happened in the last 24-48 hours. 500' wide. "Crown line extends basically the entire ridge in the background." Photo. H. Darby

     

  • The crown of a natural avalanche likely happened in the last 12 hours. This avalanche broke 200' wide, 3-4' deep, and ran "almost full path" to the trees below. Photo: H. Darby

     

     

  • Avalanche along Lionhead Ridge that appeared to be several days old. 1/26/24 Photo: GNFAC

  • Avalanche on Lionhead Ridge that appeared to be several days old. 1/26/24 Photo: GNFAC

  • Avalanche in Targhee Creek that appeared to be several days old. 1/26/24 Photo: GNFAC

  • A slide in Watkins Creek broke across three avalanche paths/gully features and was one of the larger slides we've seen this season, looking to have piled up debris 10+ ft deep. Looks to have broken in the last 24 hours. 1/26/24 Photo: GNFAC

  • A slide in Watkins Creek broke across three avalanche paths/gully features and was one of the larger slides we've seen this season, looking to have piled up debris 10+ ft deep. Looks to have broken in the last 24 hours. 1/26/24 Photo: GNFAC

  • Avalanche that looks to have been remotely triggered at Lionhead in the last 24 hours. 1/26/24 Photo: GNFAC

  • Avalanche that looks to have been remotely triggered at Lionhead in the last 24 hours. 1/26/24 Photo: GNFAC

  • 1/26/24 Photo: GNFAC

  • Do you like to hike? Do you like to ski? Then the King & Queen of the Ridge is for you. Hike, ski and raise money for the Friends of the Avalanche Center in their 2nd biggest fundraiser of the year. Join the effort to promote and support avalanche safety and awareness! Fundraising prizes for top 5 individuals who raise over $500. No racing is necessary to compete for the fundraising prizes. Info to fundraise is HERE or donate here. Race participants for the [insert dates] event must register separately with Bridger Bowl here.

  • Riders on Lionhead Ridge spotted this natural avalanche that occurred on January 21. 

  • This natural avalanche failed the morning of January 21 on a steep slope at Lionhead. 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

Videos- Lionhead Range

WebCams


Rendezvous Ski Trail, W. Yellowstone

Snowpit Profiles- Lionhead Range

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Lionhead Range

Extended Forecast for

10 Miles WNW West Yellowstone MT

  • Overnight

    Overnight: Snow showers likely.  Cloudy, with a low around 24. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 22 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    Snow Showers
    Likely and
    Breezy

    Low: 24 °F

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible.  Temperature falling to around 20 by 4pm. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 23 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

    Heavy Snow
    and Breezy

    High: 26 °F⇓

  • Thursday
    Night

    Thursday Night: A chance of snow showers before midnight, then a slight chance of snow after midnight. Some thunder is also possible.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Breezy, with a southwest wind 21 to 26 mph decreasing to 7 to 12 mph after midnight.  Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    Chance Snow
    Showers and
    Breezy then
    Slight Chance
    Snow

    Low: 15 °F

  • Friday

    Friday: A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of snow showers after noon.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Chance Snow
    Showers

    High: 26 °F

  • Friday
    Night

    Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers.  Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

    Slight Chance
    Snow Showers

    Low: 17 °F

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers.  Partly sunny, with a high near 29. North northeast wind around 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow
    Showers

    High: 29 °F

  • Saturday
    Night

    Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. West wind 8 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.  Little or no snow accumulation expected.

    Chance Snow
    Showers

    Low: 18 °F

  • Sunday

    Sunday: Snow showers likely.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. North northeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

    Snow Showers
    Likely

    High: 29 °F

  • Sunday
    Night

    Sunday Night: A chance of snow showers before midnight.  Partly cloudy, with a low around 15.

    Chance Snow
    Showers then
    Partly Cloudy

    Low: 15 °F

The Last Word

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03 / 26 / 24  <<  
 
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