Snowpack

Tollgate, Morning Creek-Target Meadows

Tom WhippleBlues
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Observation photo 1Observation photo 2Observation photo 3

Quick report

While hardly powder, the riding quality was decent with right side up (wet) surface snow.  No signs of instability.  Nothing concerning in a pit on a NE aspect, while a SW one yielded sudden results and propagation on rounding facets above the late november crust.  

Despite moderate and stronger winds, there is no snow available for transport since the top inch is saturated by rain from Tuesday night.  

No signs of instability other than rollerballs along the highway which probably ran Tues or overnight.

Weather

Air Temp
37.5 dropping to 33.5
Cloud Cover
broken
Wind Loading
none
Rain Elevation
above summits
Recent Snowfall
5
Snow Avail For Transport
none

Arrived at trailhead at 1130h after winds had switched to W (moderate gusting to strong and winds aloft strong) and precip had tapered off. Temps fell steadily but were still above freezing at 1500h,

Snowpack

There is very little snowpack below 4500' on the W side of the blues, looking into the canyons.  On the plateau, snow heights were pretty consistent on northerly and southerly aspects in meadows, averaging 70cm or a little over 3'.  Riding in the woods might tear up your equipment on stumps still.