Quick report
The Barrier lived up to its name today, providing the perfect terrain shield against the merciless east flow as we went hunting for corn snow high in Tunnel Creek amid warm temps and calm winds under clear skies. On open southerly slopes between 4600-5200 feet we were rewarded with smooth surface conditions overlying a well transitioned (albeit shallow) snowpack, serving up good corn turns from noon til we exited the field at around 1500. Ski pen was around 5cm, with boot pen 10-25cm. HS found to be 94cm at 5244’ and 80cm at 4700’. Surface snow was not softening enough to threaten even small wet loose avalanches in the 35deg terrain we skied- overall impression of stability was good in this location. Below 4600 feet, snow depths in main southerly drainage gullies dropped off dramatically, with exposed running water under semi-supportable snow bridges. The contrast of the surface under canopy was stark- highlights included variable depth and density, rough texture and cupping, and (everyone’s favorite) frozen drip cones of varying size. Despite this, travel under canopy on foot remained relatively supportable. Surface faceting was observed on northerlies, where the commute on skis to and from the ski area was passable on mostly compact, supportable surfaces. It was remarkable watching the east flow dissipate through low points both north and south of Cowboy Mountain. Also noteworthy was the variation in temperature at Grace Lakes/Old Faithful (low 20s) relative to out position at the same elevation a mere half mile to the south (no formal air temp reading was taken, but I estimate the temp to be somewhere in the upper 30s/low 40s).