The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office sent out a statement on Thursday warning of extreme avalanche danger in East Idaho and asking backcountry travelers to avoid high-risk areas.
According to the statement, the rapidly changing weather patterns the area has experienced over the past several days has created conditions where any area with a slope, overhanging snow or ice edges have become prone to slides and avalanches.
On Thursday, two slides completely covered a trail in the Bonneville County Parks and Recreation Snowmobile Grooming System. Though the sheriff’s office said most people assumed that groomed trail systems are not prone to these type of conditions, in actuality they can be just as dangerous as other mountainous and higher elevation areas.
For those who choose to recreate in the backcountry of East Idaho, the sheriff’s office is advising to make sure to be prepared with necessary safety gear, such as avalanche beacons, extra water and food, appropriate clothing and a GPS system. Backcountry travelers will also need to let loved ones know exactly where they plan to go and when they plan to return.
Earlier this week, the Utah Avalanche Center in Salt Lake City issued an avalanche warning for high elevation areas in Bear Lake and Franklin counties in Southeast Idaho. However, the warning ended today at 6 a.m.
Logan Canyon near the Idaho/Utah border closed down on Wednesday because of an avalanche that covered US 89 just west of the turnoff to Beaver Mountain. The avalanche left a 150-foot-wide path of snow across the highway that officials estimated to be 4 to 5 feet deep.
Media reports in Utah said the road was reopened to vehicle traffic on Thursday morning.
