Forestdale Rd

We went out Forestdale Rd. to observe the storm. We traveled in below, near and above treeline terrain between 7800 ft and 8800 ft on NW-N-NE aspects. We were limited on going deeper into the terrain due to  avalanche hazard and low vis. We found gale force winds and 30-90cm of new snow depending on wind exposure and elevation.  As the day progressed we experienced shooting cracks due to the rapid loading and wind transport creating wind slabs. The air temperature was measured at 24 degrees keeping the snow light and cold. Consistent strong winds that occasionally gusted higher came from the southwest scouring ridges and loading leeward slopes. This created density changes and a wind packed feeling to the snow in near and above treeline terrain.   It was hard to keep track of the accumulation of snow throughout the day with the winds and consistent loading but tracks in terrain that was exposed to the wind was covered within an hour, tracks in terrain that is protected from the wind had a 1-2 centimeter of accumulation per hour. 

We dug a pit at 8600ft on a N aspect in above treeline terrain. There were a few weak layers in the storm snow due to wind and snowflake type/shape.  Results included CT1 down 17cm SP X2 on a wind affected layer: CT15 down 35 cm SP X2; CT19 down 45cm X2; CT28 down 74 cm near the bottom of the new snow. The layer near the bottom of the new snow at 74cm is a 1-2mm graupel layer but was inconsistent in showing results and required hard taps. We had an ECTN5 down 17cm and ECTN15 down 35 cm. Multiple hand pits throughout wind exposed terrain showed a soft wind slab that was increasing in depth througout the day.  The alpine appeared to be a stack of wind desposits.  Riding conditons in higher terrain were supportable due to wind compaction. There was softer, lighter snow below treeline.  It was deep and easy to trench into the old wet snow. The wind was blowing snow into lower elevations. 

Forestdale Rd was well covered. Ebbetts Pass road check on 4/11/26, the gates were closed at the Monitor Pass / Ebbets junction. 

There was surface cracking as the day progressed, snow accumulated and wind slabs were building. The wind affected snow was cracking 6-12 inches deep, and shooting cracks 4-8 ft.