Sandia Mountains 10k Site - Snow Pit Density, Temperature, Stratigraphy (2020)

The 10k research plot is located about 250m north of the 10K Trailhead parking lot in the Cibola National Forest. This area is at the beginning of the Canadian/Hudsonian Zone of the Eastern Sandia Mountains, which is part of the Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Ecoregion. The plot is roughly 1,200m^2 and runs east-west with an open area (~400 m^2) on the eastern end and a forest stand (~800 m^2) located uphill on the western end. The hill has an eastern aspect with an 18 degree slope. The forest vegetation in this area predominantly consists of spruce, fir, and aspen trees. Snow pit density, temperature, and stratigraphy data were collected at two snow pits (forested and open areas) from December 17, 2019 until April 28, 2020.