Observation: Cascade Ridge

Shingle Mill - East Aspect- 9000'

Shingle Mill- Big Shingle Bowl- Northeast aspect-9800'

Freedom Peak (left) and Provo Peak (back right)- North Aspects

Bunnells

Mount Timpanogos- Slide Canyon

Big Springs- Big Bowl 7- North aspect-9300'

Cascade saddle- 9500'

I travelled up Big Springs to Cascade Saddle and down Shingle Mill back to the trailhead. I wanted to view the extent of the current snow coverage and see how the recent cold temperatures were influencing the shallow snowpack. 6 inches of consistent snow coverage begins around 8000 ft, primarily on shaded slopes. Higher up, around 9000 ft, snow depths are 8 to 12 inches with a basal ice crust beneath 11/17 snow. The snow is beginning to facet, and surface hoar is formed on the surface.  This will be trouble when snow accumulates above.