[puzzlr]

These photos are by John Stimberis of the WSDOT taken during the warm rain on February 22. I was asked to post them here to get word out that Franklin Falls could be deadly under these conditions. John wrote:

[Carbonj]

Very cool, but deadly!

[Cyclopath]

I've never heard of an avalanche at Franklin Falls. 🤯 Has anyone else?

[Bootpathguy]

[fourteen410]

[Randito]

https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/extreme-danger/ Nowhere in the mountains was safe during that period -- that's why the WSDOT closed all cross-cascades passes Sunday-Monday

[Eckels]

That path went huge again during helicopter avalanche bombing yesterday. This video shows the slide taking out mature trees as it travels and a photo of franklin falls filled with a massive debris pile! Glad nobody was hurt!! https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT/videos/890724984835056/ Also curious if any warnings we're posted at either trailhead. I know alpental valley was closed but didn't see anything stopping folks from hiking down the summer road at the start of alpental road. I took a screenshot at 30 seconds of the Franklin Falls bowl filled with debris but can't figure out how to post it here. It's an astounding photo.

[Eckels]

I think I got photos to work

From I90

Before

After

[Eckels]

I can't figure out how to make photos work but this trip report on WTA has photos. The debris pile is unreal!!! https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2021-02-24-0584079186

[zimmertr]

That last photo is incredible!

[car68]

Of course it's on Youtube. This is just a few days prior.

[fourteen410]

Per the YouTube footage, a WSDOT worker yelled down from the highway to clear the area right before the avy came down. Allegedly there were no closure signs at the TH. I'm all for personal responsibility and doing your research before heading out...but unless I'm missing something, it seems a little negligent to not put a sign at the trailhead warning of avy control work.

[Randito]

The NWAC forecast for the day was high. Independent of WSDOT efforts that area is very exposed to avalanche hazard. The highway was closed for the avalanche control work. There is a road closure barrier on the old highway that he walked past to approach the falls. The WSDOT positioned an employee on the bridge and gave a warning in time for them to clear out. People routinely ignore posted warning signs. The guys complaint is him trying to blame someone else for him being ignorant and doing something that he only realized after the fact was very dangerous.

[RichP]

Spooky. Makes me wonder if somebody is under that pile of snow. Those people down below just look too casual.

[Bootpathguy]

Amazing video