Brewer Creek Area and North Gate Trailhead

The objective of today was to assess North Gate and Brewer Creek for ski accessibility and snow coverage. North Gate was a quick visit, where half of a foot of snow sat on top of dirt and rock. This area will need more storms to improve ski access. Brewer Creek, on the other hand, has improved since the last visit. This area has a large variability in surface conditions including wind board, ice, rock, soft snow, and punchy crusts. Last night's temperature inversions allowed near and above treeline snow to become saturated, while lower level snow remained cold and dry. These near treeline surfaces could become quite firm if temperatures drop overnight.
On a different note, here are some access observations:
- Military Pass and North Gate are still driveable, but you will want snow tires, 4x4, and high clearance
- Brewer Creek trailhead is no longer accessible by vehicle

The first location assessed was North Gate trailhead. North Gate is still very thin in terms of snow coverage. There is around five to six inches on the ground at the parking lot (~6,900 feet). Brewer Creek had significantly more snow. Moderate coverage begins around 6,500 feet, and increases with elevation. Near treeline showed an average snow depth ranging from 20 to 24 inches. A pit was dug at around 7,800 feet on an east aspect above Brewer Creek trailhead. This pit showed 10 inches of newer snow (Dec. 6-7) on top of a series of thin ice crusts, and old decomposing snow underneath. Nothing to be alarmed here in terms of instability, but the settlement and thin crusts are definitely helping to build a solid base.