Quick report
An icy, windy day up high on Baker! We were able to drive within ~2 miles of the Schrieber's Meadow parking lot on NF 13, parking at ~2900' after the last road switchback. There is a burm made by the sledders there. The approach to the Easton route was plowed, which was quite nice. We observed widespread runneling of the snow surface up to 8500', above which the snow surface was smoother, albeit much icier. Unfortunately the runnels made for a bumpy ride on the way down. Even when the snow did manage to soften below 7500' or so, it was quite bumpy. It seems that the sun is able to soften surfaces, but it can't combat the wind. If there's wind, the sun angle is so darn low that the wind will win the corn battle. Old, large crowns observed on the upper Deming and on the summit plateau of Colfax Peak (see photos).
Snowpack
Below 7000', the snowpack showed signs of melt-freeze with support to both skis and boots in the morning. While the snow was firm, it was grippy and typical to melt-freeze in the springtime. Above 7000' there was significant ice formation on the glaciers, with water-ice and rime present that made for slick travel conditions both up and down.