Observation: Mill Hollow

Estimated 0.5" new snow near the dry canyon TH and at low elevations increasing to about 3-4" of new snow at upper elevations with some small graupel noted on top. New snow was significantly drier above about 7500' on ascent and the snow at upper elevations was dry and light and increased in moisture and density as we descended. At upper elevations, the snow surface was more variable with windward areas buffed and leeward areas loaded with soft drifts and wind skins and large cornices. The 8000-8500' elevation band seemed to hold the most snow in this area from this exiting storm. Generally, new snow was sitting on a supportable 1-3" melt freeze crust that was capping about 6-12" of dry to moist snow on a stout crust below. This surface crust varied with westerly aspects having a more breakable and thinner surface crust and a wind skin on the new snow, lower elevations in Mill hollow had a very breakable decomposing crust by mid day that made travel difficult, and upper elevation northerlies had a supportable crust that was bondning well to the new snow.