Newberry

Avalanches are unlikely to occur in Newberry National Monument on Saturday.

The trails from 10-mile snow park are hanging in there just enough to allow reasonable riding up to the lake elevation, where there is more snow.  Higher in the monument, slopes vary dramatically by aspect since we haven't gotten much in the way of recent snow.  The sunniest slopes have sadly melted to bare dirt.  Most of the snow is a bit crusty from a week of melting and re-freezing.  Shady slopes have preserved dry snow, and on the most sheltered there are well-developed faceted crystals.  These facets, which feel a lot like sugar, have been pleasant to ride, but could provide a dangerous week layer if we get enough new snow on Sunday and Monday.