Becker Peak

We headed out to Becker Peak today to check on the current conditions and coverage. This area received a good overnight freeze but snow did start to soften up in direct sunlight on solar aspects before 10 on the way up. Once we reached the ridge, we decided to descend on the shaded aspects down to Echo Lakes. I stopped and dug a hasty pit to look at the depth of the near surface facets. There's approximately 40 cm of facets lingering above the January 1 rain crust. Near and above the crust about 15 cm the facets are 4F hard, above that roughly 25 cm was F hard to the surface . New snow totals from Wednesday seemed tough to exactly calculate with a couple days of sun and settlement. Maybe there was an inch of new snow in this area? The descent down consisted of softer conditions with the occasional sticky areas in sun lit areas.. Mostly enjoyable ride down to the lake. No signs of instability.