Update: The full Little Cottonwood Canyon closure policy put forth by UDOT as described below has been revised. The new policy is as follows: The entire north side of Little Cottonwood Canyon from Lisa Falls to Grizzly Gulch will be closed during avalanche control work. However, the closure boundaries will extend an additional 1,000 meters, including into Big Cottonwood Canyon from the ridge line. The boundary is also extending from the highway to the full run-out zone to Little Cottonwood Canyon Creek. White Pine parking lot will remain open and the backcountry south of the creek will stay open for ski touring and other user groups.
In addition, the backcountry closure times will be moved to 10 p.m. the night before a closure, to 8 a.m. the next morning.
For a full rundown, and to submit public comment, go to the UDOT avalanche page where they have maps of the new closure areas. Comment will be taken until January 6, 2017.
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Dawn patrols on powder days are going to be a thing of the past in Little Cottonwood Canyon, as UDOT is implementing new policies for backcountry closures. Starting in the 2016/17 ski season, the entire LCC backcountry will be off limits on mornings when avalanche crews are working to mitigate slide hazard in order to quickly open SR 210.
In the past, particular peaks, slide paths and trailheads that receive continuous blasting on snow days were off limits, so this is the first time that the backcountry closure policy is going canyon-wide. According to UDOT the policy change is being enacted to reduce the likelihood of backcountry skiers and snowboarders from being exposed to avalanche-control work, which involves the use of artillery and explosives.
The canyon’s backcountry closure will go in effect the night before any planned avalanche work, and will be lifted when the highway opens to the public in the morning, usually around 8 a.m.
Here is a breakdown of what to expect from the Utah Avalanche Center’s website:
- In a typical storm scenario, all Little Cottonwood Canyon backcountry will be closed at 8 PM the evening before an anticipated 6:30 AM shoot. The most likely opening time will be 8 AM. This includes areas on both sides of the road accessed from White Pine trailhead.
- The closure includes everything within 1 km of a target. This includes ridgelines and a portion of the backside. A closure is not a recommendation. Closures are enforced by Salt Lake County Ordinance 13.12.010 – Closed or unsafe areas and Town of Alta Ordinance 5-4-1: AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT OUTDOOR TRAVEL. Violators are subject to arrest.
- If the opening is going to be later than 8:30 AM, UDOT will post updates.
- Backcountry closures will be announced by 8 PM the night before anticipated closures. Sometimes the weather serves up surprises, and it’s possible that a planned closure won’t happen or that plans will change in the middle of the night. But every effort will be made to finalize a plan the night before and stick with it.
- Announcements will be made on Twitter (#UDOTavy)
- The Utah Avalanche Center (#UACWasatch) will retweet the UDOTavy message.
- Backcountry road closures will be announced in the SLC advisory and in the Dawn Patrol Hotline
- A bright red UDOT message will appear on UAC pages