Trip Planning for Northern Madison

as of 5:00 am
Today6″ | 15-45 SW
Mar 31 4″ | 15-34 SW
Mar 30 7″ | 15-23 SW
9400′     4/01 at 19:00
18 ℉
SE - 8 mph, Gusts 17
1 " New
8880′     04/01 at 18:00
16℉
62″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind Slab
Bottom Line: Human-triggered wind slab avalanches failing 1-2 feet deep on slopes with recent drifts are the primary concern, with high elevation slopes near ridgelines and below cornices being the most suspect. On slopes unaffected by the wind, dry loose avalanches are possible, and storm slab avalanches could break and propagate wider if snowfall rates increase during the day. Watch and test for instability above the thick melt-freeze crust formed in late March and evaluate the consequences of a potential avalanche before skiing and riding steep slopes.

Past 5 Days

Fri Mar 28

Low
Sat Mar 29

Low
Sun Mar 30

Moderate
Mon Mar 31

Moderate
Today

Moderate

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Northern Madison
Beehive Basin
Point releases, wet loose in Beehive/Middle Basin
Beehive Basin
WL-N-R1-D1.5
Coordinates: 45.3407, -111.3910
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Toured around Beehive and Middle Basins this morning, finding predictably bulletproof snow on most aspects but decent turns aided by the 2-4 inches of snow from last night on northerly terrain that hadn’t been destroyed by the sun this week. There were a few brief moments of direct sun throughout the morning, which almost instantaneously triggered point releases from steeper rocky terrain. On the way back through Beehive we observed some much larger debris piles that weren’t there this morning from the steel rocky face between the Going Home chute and the prayer flags. 


More Avalanche Details
Northern Madison
Gallatin Canyon
Wet slides in Gallatin Canyon
Incident details include images
Gallatin Canyon
WL-N-R2-D2
Aspect: S
Coordinates: 45.3690, -111.1750
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

In Gallatin Canyon we saw some wet slides in the chutes/gullies south of Lava Lake


More Avalanche Details
Northern Madison
Buck Ridge
Wind slabs near Buck Ridge
Incident details include images
Buck Ridge
SS-N-R1-D1
Elevation: 9,200
Aspect: N
Coordinates: 45.1719, -111.3800
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

We rode into all three Yellow Mule drainages and the head of Muddy Creek. It was snowing hard and wind was blowing strong this morning. In the afternoon, clouds lifted and snow let up. Skies remained mostly cloudy, but with high clouds there was decent visibility at the end of the day. There were 10-12" of new snow since last weekend, 2-4" low density fell this morning.

There was a small wind slab avalanche in McAtee (Photo) and a small wind slab in Beaver Creek. 


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • In Gallatin Canyon we saw some wet slides in the chutes/gullies south of Lava Lake. Photo: USFS Snow Rangers

  • 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!

  • On Mar 22 There was a small wind slab avalanche in McAtee (Photo) and a small wind slab in Beaver Creek. Photo: GNFAC

  • 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

     

  • 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. 

     

  • 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

     

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Natural point release avalanche observed from the YC. Occurred out of bounds on the South side of Pioneer Mountain. Photo: YC Ski Patrol

  • 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

  • Cracking in the new and wind-drifted snow on the Ridge of Middle Basin. These resulted in a narrow avalanche that ran quite far. 

  • Photo: GNFAC

  • Buck Ridge, snowmobile triggered avalanche. Propagated in the storm slab. Photo: C Erhard

  • Swift Current lift shut down all day Wednesday 2/5/25 by ski patrol

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • This slab from my ski cut was about 20” deep and 60’ wide. It’s NE facing so pretty wind blown. Photo: S Budac

  • Cracking and isolated pockets of wind slab in Beehive. 

  • 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.

  • We also spotted a small, snowmobile triggered avalanche on a steep, east facing slope in Muddy Creek.  Photo: USFS Snow Rangers 

  • 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 

  • Photo: M R

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.  

  • 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.  

  • 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

  • Large wind transport in Spanish peaks. Photo: T Blakeway

  • Surface hoar was on the snow surface today. It likely wont' survive to be buried. Sunshine on south aspects was already destroying it.

  • Snowpit and ECT result from small slope just above Beehive Creek at 8200 ft. 

  • Facets in thinner snowpack areas are larger, weaker, and could possibly cause an avalnache

  • 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

  • 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. 

  • The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

  • The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

  • From IG 1/3: “Buck ridge today. NE aspect. Probably 100’ wide and at least 3’ deep. Looked like it was triggered by a snowmobiler earlier in the day.” Photo: P Rockwell

Videos- Northern Madison

WebCams


8800' Camera, Lone Peak view

Yellowstone Club, Timberline Chair

Snowpit Profiles- Northern Madison

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Northern Madison

Extended Forecast for

5 Miles NNW Big Sky MT

Winter Storm Warning April 1, 07:41pm until April 2, 06:00amClick here for hazard details and duration Winter Storm Warning
  •   Winter Storm Warning April 1, 07:41pm until April 2, 06:00am

    NOW until 6:00am Wed

    Winter Storm Warning

  • Tonight

    Low: 15 °F

    Heavy Snow

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Snow likely, mainly before 9am.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    High: 24 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.

    Low: 13 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Snow likely, mainly after noon.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    High: 26 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Snow Likely

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Snow likely.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. North northwest wind 8 to 10 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    Low: 13 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Friday

    Friday: A 30 percent chance of snow before noon.  Partly sunny, with a high near 21. North wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.  Little or no snow accumulation expected.

    High: 21 °F

    Chance Snow
    then Partly
    Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 10. North northwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming south southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

    Low: 10 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 33. South southwest wind 8 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

    High: 33 °F

    Sunny

The Last Word

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.  The survey is confidential and anonymous. 

Your feedback is invaluable; please take a moment to share your experience and help us make a difference.

https://eoustmhs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3L8QKAuZzcxJBLo

3 / 31 / 25  <<  
 
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