Manual snow course snowpack measurements are “dismal for the most part,” according to the Cokeville Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office.

In southwest Wyoming, snowpacks are hovering around 60 percent of normal, down significanly from last year’s measurements. “Luckily we have some time to pick up some moisture in the next few months,” said DeMont Grandy of the Cokeville NRCS. “It is difficult to forecast what the next few months may have for moisture. However, the last couple of years were very wet during the early spring.”

Access into the snow courses was a little rough due to the low snow packs. Snowmobiles were bottoming out and hitting rocks and soil, according to the NRCS. Area-wide snowpacks need to improve before snowmobiling becomes suitable for outdoor enthusiasts.

For the complete article see the 02-04-2010 issue.

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