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Show B. Slides on the North Side of Alta Proper 1. Cardiff and Flagstaff ( Figure 4) The slide paths of Cardiff Bowl, Flagstaff Bowl, Flagstaff Mountain, and Flagstaff Shoulder all threaten the residential area of Alta. Because of the gentler slope angles on these paths than on the paths down the canyon, avalanche hazard does not arise as quickly on these slopes as they do above the highway. When these slides run large, however, they have great potential for causing great damage and destruction in the Alta area. Cardiff Bowl, the western- most of this series of slide paths, starts on the slope to the west of Cardiff Pass. The slide must have considerable volume to ride over the gentle area below this steep face; but succeeding in this, it runs down the gully below to the southeast, crosses the highway and eventually dissipates in the lower parking lot. The Flagstaff Bowl slide, also called Toledo Basin, originates in the next basin to the east and, like Cardiff, normally releases from a slope with a southeastern orientation. This slide normally runs down the gully below the basin and is turned somewhat westward by the knoll in the lower part of the slide. This slide crosses the road at the junction point of the roads to the upper and lower parking lots and continues toward the east wing of the Peruvian Lodge. Although the slide has done no damage as yet to the Peruvian Lodge, the possibility cannot be ruled out. The east wing should be evacuated in times of extreme hazard, particularly when this path is being controlled by artillery. This slide has also overridden the knoll just west of the Upper Guard Station and has covered most of what is now the lower parking lot. It is possible that Cardiff and Flagstaff Bowls may slide at once. The combined force of these slides could cause them to run a good deal further across the valley floor. When it is felt that an unusually large amount of snow is hanging on the Flagstaff Bowl path, it may be advisable to evacuate the Forest Service Guard Stations, since the slide could override the knoll in the lower part of the track, although the Guard Stations have never been involved as yet. The knoll is the only barrier to protect the Guard Stations from the slide. Flagstaff Mountain and its lower extension, Flagstaff Shoulder, are the next slide paths to the east. These may slide separately; however, they usually slide together. Flagstaff |