Galena Summit

Observations were limited to roadside due to a knee issue. No new avalanche activity (slabs or wet loose) was observed. Surface crusts ranging from thin zipper crusts to thick, stout, supportable crusts existed on all observed aspects below about 8600', with weak facets below all observed crusts. 

Cracking and collapsing is N/A. I was never more than 50 ft off the highway, and mobility limited travel to near existing ski tracks or footsteps. There was some rollerball and pinwheel activity on steep, W-SW-S aspects in alpine terrain in the northern and central Boulders, but no wet loose slides. Unsure if the pinwheeling was from today or previous days.

Although temps were above freezing, the snow surface was frozen on all aspects (no free water on or within the surface crusts). No large, standing surface hoar observed - just <0.5mm, and mostly laying down and weathered.  

Gov Punchbowl turnout (7900'): E/SE aspect had a 1 cm K/P crust with 1cm of FC below

Tweener/Twin Bowls turnout (8150'): flat area had a 3cm P+ crust with obvious FC below

Cross turnout (8300'): gentle NE aspect (only about 10* slope angle) had a 2cm P crust with well-developed FC below

Titus Lake turnout (8650'): E (80* aspect) on a 20* slope had a 2-3mm zipper crust with FC below. 

Summary: Lots of thick, stout crusts below 8300' that may be able to handle a significant load before the FC below become problematic. If the upper snowpack looks like it did today when it gets buried later this week, the thin 2-3mm crust + FC on partially shaded slopes around the elevation of the Titus Lake parking area (8650') would be concerning.