Quick report
No signs of instability. Poor structure easy to find and HS in the drainage was 30-90cm depending on aspect and elevation. CT BRK and ECT X on 2mm moist, rounding Depth hoar at bottom 20cm. The southerly aspect of both upper Mill D and across in Millcreek Canyon in the the distance were bare earth in many places. Travel is not that difficult, but some skin tracks are a mess and it was a bit of a struggle fest in the west facing short swing aspen grove. Lots of whipper willows in the lower drainage.
Views up into the high country of Raymond, Butler, Silver, Days, Cardiff, Mineral, and Broads were impressive but I could not make out any signs of recent activity. The slide from the Wilson Chutes a little over a week ago was still visible in the distance.
The next storm ought to make things real nice from a riding perspective. Seems like the surfaces took a hit from the warmer temps and rain at mid elevation, crushing the developing SH and facets, but would expect the alpine to be a different story and a new PWL may emerge. Bring on the snow.
Photos:
1. Powder Park 3 with new snow over undulating surfaces. Note the bare spots on the South facing across the way.
2. Wilson Chutes, old slide visible just below the southeastern ridge.
3. Reynolds east face- tracks on tracks on tracks.
Snowpack
Rain line in this drainage was as high as 8400'. It transitioned to a graupel like substance for the elevations above 8600'. The new snow did make the old worn out surfaces at these higher elevations rather enjoyable to ride. Old tracks everywhere but the prior snow surface was mostly spongy. Punchy in many places, yet supportable in others