Quick report
We traveled in several drainages near and east of Paradise from about 5400-8500ft on E-S-SW aspects. The snowpack was well settled and deep into its late spring transition. Despite the warm overnight temperatures, the surface was generally supportable but not icy. Moderate winds kept the snow firmer on exposed slopes above Panorama Point to our high point near the top of Little Africa at 8500ft. However, once out of the wind onto more E-SE facing slopes, the snow was soft, smooth, and fun when we made our first descent at around 11 am. Avalanche conditions were largely as expected and consisted of spring wet snow concerns. We were able to push small wet loose slides in very steep southerly terrain as the wet surface snow ran on a more frozen layer beneath. These were never large enough to be a concern, but we were back at the parking lot by 2:30pm. Maybe they would be a bigger deal later in the day or on larger slopes. Other hazards, like recent cornice collapses. cornice crevases, and glide cracks were noticeable, and we simply avoided that terrain. Overall, the mountains and snowpack seem at least a month ahead of what I've observed in the past. Creeks are opening, and the lower elevation coverage is thinning quickly.
Avalanche
A few recent cornice collapses, but otherwise quiet.