Observation: Swan Flats Area

Today's travel was from Swan Flats towards the Idaho border. Snow surfaces remained frozen until exposed to the sun, then quickly turned to slush. Mid-level clouds covered the ridgeline between Cornice Ridge and Doubletop, which may have kept surfaces colder in that zone. While snow surfaces were changing in the Swan Flats area, I did not observe any roller balls or wet avalanches. I imagine things will start to become more "un-glued" tomorrow with increasing hazard through the week.

Snowpit on an east facing slope at 8445'.

Snowpit on a northwest slope at 8375'.

Snow surface on a west facing slope, a common scene on all slopes.

Cloud cover along the ridgeline closer to Tony Grove

Coverage at the trailhead quickly disappearing.

Surfaces were frozen until touched by the sun. East-facing slopes turned to slush by noon, and west-facing slopes were heating up quickly in the afternoon.