Central Cascades

Triggering an avalanche will be unlikely on Thursday. As always, observe conditions in the snow and make good terrain choices. Watch for exposed rocks and logs as you move through the mountains. 

On Wednesday I found about 1" of fresh snow above 6800'. Below this, precipitation on Tuesday mostly fell as rain. I found some very small wind drifts on easterly lee slopes, but not nearly enough to make me think wind slabs are a problem. However, look for those shallow pockets of wind drifted snow at the entrances to steep lines where a release could be enough to make you loose your edge and start sliding.  The sun has had little affect on the snow surface, and if anything, just enough to soften surface rain crusts to make for edgable riding.  There is some good riding to be had at mid and upper elevations where there is more substance to the snowpack. I measured about 3' of snow at 7200' just to the south of Ball Butte on Wednesday. Many places in the near treeline and above treeline are deeper. There are plenty of rocks poking out, so watch for those. Down in the forest, obstacles are abundant.