Massive Avalanche Dumps Up to 20 Feet of Snow on Little Cottonwood Canyon Road

Well, nature certainly showed us who’s boss this week up in Little Cottonwood Canyon. It was Tuesday, January 16th, around 1:30 in the afternoon, when a truly massive natural avalanche thundered down, completely engulfing a section of State Route 210 near the White Pine area. Imagine, one moment you’re looking at a road, the next it’s gone, buried under a staggering 15 to 20 feet of snow and debris. It's almost hard to picture, isn't it?

This wasn't just any little snow slide; authorities classified it as a D3 avalanche. For those who aren't familiar, a D3 is significant – capable of absolutely flattening small buildings and snapping mature trees. The sheer power involved is mind-boggling. Thankfully, and I really mean thankfully, there were no vehicles or people caught in its path. It’s a testament to the safety measures, or perhaps just a stroke of pure luck, that a potentially catastrophic event turned into a very dramatic, but ultimately harmless, road closure.

You see, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) crews had actually been working tirelessly on avalanche mitigation earlier that very day. They had closed the canyon to proactively trigger slides and ensure safety, then reopened it. But the mountains, as they often do, had other plans. This particular slide, a "natural" one, decided to release on its own after the mitigation work was done, forcing the canyon to shut down once more, this time for extensive cleanup.

Clearing that much snow and debris is no small feat. It requires heavy machinery and painstaking effort, especially given the treacherous conditions and the ever-present threat of more slides. And speaking of threats, the forecast isn't exactly letting up. With more snow predicted to fall, the avalanche danger remains exceptionally high across the region. It's a stark reminder that while the scenery up there is breathtaking, the mountains demand immense respect, especially during winter.

So, for now, patience is truly a virtue for anyone looking to head up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The crews are doing incredible work, but Mother Nature sometimes needs a moment to settle down. It’s a powerful display of the forces at play, and a reminder to always check conditions before venturing into these beautiful, yet unpredictable, high-mountain environments.