Quick report
12/17/26. Drove to Cornucopia pack station. Snowmobiled... Rockmobiled to Norway camp (7000'). Didn't hit consistent snow until Simmons Creek. Winds and warm up from late 12/16-early 12/17, toppled 20 trees across the trail up to 32" diameter. Snow at camp was 1.5-2' deep, with a 1/4-1" rain, wind polished crust. 12/19/26. Left Halfway, Or 5"snow (fell 12/18). Started skinning from winter trailhead (Cornucopia Highway), 0900, obscured sky, light rain & wind, 8" of saturated snow. At, 1000, reached Tunnel Creek, rain stopped, transitioned to snowmobile. Difficult snowmobiling up to the East fork of the Pine. Very heavy Elephant Snot, +/- 18"of new, some drifted areas up to 4'. The recent rain, warm temps had the East fork running deep and fast, new snow created tall banks. Difficult snomo travel, current creek crossing conditions, it was time to stop. When life gives you pineapples, make a bridge. At the East fork(5600'), old snow was 0-25cm, new snow was 25cm-68cm. This varied greatly due to wind transport. Protected areas did harbor low density snow, classic transition area. As the day progressed skies became partly, cloudy and temps dropped. Periodically the wind picked up in squalls of graupel and low density snow. At, 1500, I headed back down having to cut thru a couple blow downs, from this afternoon. Snow was starting to set up and Solars had developed a thin zipper crust. On the way down I had great visibility to observe E and S aspects of Cornucopia (mountain), no avalanches observed from this storm cycle. Today the last of the wheeled vehicles made it down from the lodge to TH pumpkins dragging and ruts to gravel, also freezing up. The local snowmobile club, just got their new Cat today, it'll take some preparations to be ready. Don't expect the Cornucopia Highway to be groomed anytime soon. Happy Solstice, winter is here, we've got a good base. Mike