Lake McDonald Valley

Quick report

-Hiked and climbed up into the alpine terrain above Lake McDonald to a high point around 8000'. -We reached consistent snow (3" deep) on shaded terrain at about 5500'. Depths quickly increased to 10-15" above 6500'. -Snowpack surfaces were crusted in the shade but softened to wet snow later in the day on sunny slopes. -Snow on slopes exposed to full sun had melted off up to about 6500-7000' by the end of the day. -No faceting in the snowpack where the melt-freeze conditions dominated. Some minor basal facets noted in terrain above 7000' that remained entirely in the shade and where the snowpack was dry. -Previous wind loading noted above 6500' with some drifts reaching 2' deep. These were mostly isolated to the ridge crests. No cracking. -No signs of instability save for a few rollerballs and rime melting off the rocks and trees in the sunshine. No avalanches. -Some valley fog in the morning. We climbed above it around 5500'. Clear skies above with calm, or light westerly winds all day.