Moab Winter Condition Report 12/13/19

Hello all! We’ve had a small break from winter this week with highs in the 50’s and sunny conditions. Thursday was bordering on T-Shirt weather! I hope everyone got a chance to enjoy the sunshine and to revisit the warmer weather sports while we had this chance. It’s about to get back to winter again this weekend.

Road Conditions

The La Sal Loop rd is completely dry and free of ice and snow. The Geyser Pass Rd is intermixed with snow and mud and then gradually becomes mostly packed out snow and ice. 4×4 vehicles or chains and snow tires are still absolutely required. There were capable 4×4 truck’s stuck up there today above the Squaw Springs Trail. With the potential for significant snowfall this weekend, road conditions will only get worse from here. Take it slow and be careful! Remember to always pack extra water, food, blankets, and other emergency supplies when entering this snowy alpine environment.


Geyser Pass Rd 12/13/19

Storm Totals This Week

Colorado and Utah resorts saw anywhere from 1″ to 18″ of new snow Thursday into Thursday night. With more snow in the forecast, the conditions should be very good for the next couple of days. Here are the storm totals for the last 24 hours.

 

 

Brighton was the Utah winner with 18″ of new snow and Breckenridge was the Colorado winner with 12″. No worries however, there is much more where that came from. We can expect anywhere from 10″ to 19″ in Utah and 14″ to 19″ in Colorado by Monday morning. Powderhorn also opened for the season this morning with a 27″ Base. Hooray for more resort skiing near Moab!

Backcountry Skiing:

The conditions remain very good in the La Sal’s! I skied powder conditions today in the corkscrew glades, amazing! With the low avalanche danger rating for the area, folks have really been getting after it. Here are some photos of shop associate Dillon Geiger on an ascent of Mt Tukuhnikivatz earlier this week.

 Colin Vogel on the ascent out of Gold Basin by Dillon Geiger

Dillon Geiger and Colin Vogel on the summit of Mt Tukuhnikivatz

The cold weather has allowed for the snow to hold up nicely and the powder conditions to be preserved. It’s really, really fun up there. The lower elevation snow is starting to melt out, but the upper elevation snow is still holding very well.

The Utah Avalanche Center is reporting LOW avalanche danger on all aspects on all elevations. Normal caution is advised at this time. However, LOW does not mean NO danger. Continue to travel cautiously and thoughtfully in the La Sal’s, but it’s been game on until the next storm rolls through this weekend and spices things up. Please refer to the Utah Avalanche Center report for the Moab Area for a full avalanche conditions report.

The Utah Avalanche Center has installed the beacon check gate at the Geyser Pass Winter trailhead. The beacon training park has yet to be installed. Please check the Utah Avalanche Center site for more information. 


Beacon Check Gate courtesy of Utah Avalanche Center

Cross Country Skiing/Snowshoeing

The Geyser Pass nordic trail has been groomed to Gold Basin and it’s a good time! Very fast and fun. Grooming will hopefully continue next week as the Lower Utah Nordic Alliance’s main grooming machine is currently in the shop. They are trying the best they can with the old machine, and they’ve done a fine job. The track is in great shape. Hopefully, they will get the new machine up and running soon and we can have even more fresh corduroy to enjoy. Check the Lower Utah Nordic Alliance facebook page and the Utah Avalanche Center forecast for updated grooming conditions. 

Geyser Pass Nordic Track 12/13/19

Weather

We will have wet and stormy conditions down in Moab into the weekend tapering off Sunday night. The high’s start off in the 50’s and work there way down to the mid 30’s later this week. Low’s will start in the 30’s and drop down to the mid-teens. BRRR. Winter temperatures have begun. Here’s the forecast for town via NOAA.

NOAA Weather Forecast for Moab

There is a winter weather advisory in effect for the La Sal mountains through Sunday. Hopefully, that means we see some new snow in the mountains. High’s will be in the teens and low’s could dip below 0. Yikes, bundle up!

NOAA Weather Forecast for the La Sal’s.

Mountain Biking

We had a large number of trails reopen for riding this week. The only closed trails as of Friday are The Whole Enchilada, UPS, LPS, and Porcupine Rim. All other trails remain open. I hope everyone got a chance to get after it with the short window we’ve had this week! It’s pretty awesome when you can ski and mountain bike on the same day! Please respect the closures that are still in place and expect closures with the next round of winter storms coming in. Please refer to the Posion Spider Trail Conditions page for up to date information on riding conditions. 

Climbing/Canyoneering

Climbing has mostly opened back up this week with the dry and semi-warm weather we’ve had. There are still wet conditions to be found in some areas but we’ve experienced decently dry conditions the last day or so. Skiing one day, climbing sandstone splitter’s the next. What a world! Please be careful of the wet conditions that may still linger about on the glorious sandstone splitters and please refrain from climbing when mother nature shows back up this weekend. Canyoneering should be good to go as long as there is no chance of precipitation in the forecast. Flash floods in a canyon are not something you want to experience. 

Shop Updates

We have a large selection of backcountry skiing and other winter equipment coming into the shop now. We have many touring boots, AT Setups, Snowshoes, and Nordic and Cross Country ski’s at great prices. Come in and check out the selection! We also have a 25% sale on new jackets and outerwear. We are OPEN from 8 AM to 9 PM every day of the week. We will be closing early on Christmas Eve and we will be OPEN on Christmas Day for any of those super last-minute gifts. Don’t worry, the staff will still be able to enjoy Christmas with family and friends if they would like to. 

Employee Spotlight. 

 

Sam Yeiter

Sam is a mountain biker, snowboarder, and outdoor lover from Rindge, New Hampshire. Sam was raised in an outdoor family and originally got interested in outdoor pursuits on family hiking trips in New Hampshire. Sam moved to Moab with his girlfriend Beth in March 2019 and they have loved every minute. Sam’s favorite sport is mountain biking and he spends the majority of his free time out riding. When he’s not riding his bike, he’s probably juggling or playing the piano. Sam’s favorite piece of gear is his mountain bike, because well, mountain biking. His favorite outdoor trip he’s taken so far is riding The Whole Enchilada Trail in Moab. You can usually catch Sam’s smiling face and warm greeting in the mornings in the shop. 

Events This Week.

Star Party at Deadhorse Point. Join Deadhorse rangers for a star talk and look at the stars through a telescope! Deadhorse Visitor Center on December 15th, 6:30 PM

 

Holly Jolly Day at Moab Made. Join Moab Made for a day of cookie decorating, ornament making, hot chocolate sipping, and generally feeling jolly. December 14th, 12 PM to 6 PM.

 

Swinging Christmas Dance at Moab Arts and Recreation Center. Have you ever wanted to learn how to Swing Dance? Well now is your chance! Beginner lessons will be free or a 5$ donation to help cover the cost of the room. No partner necessary. Please bring a treat to share! December 14th at 7 PM.