Glacier pass and surrounding basins that drain into west fork of wallowa river

Quick report

Did a 3 day packpacking trip (approximate route in photos) up the lakes basin and glacier pass and down along the west fork of the wallowa river. No avalanche activity was observed until we were on the south side of glacier pass. Snow was very soft, seemed as though it was not fully freezing at night any more, but was supportable enough for snowshoeing around 7000-7500ft and up. Snowpack seemed overall pretty stable but would steer clear of anything that is in the sun and looks sketchy given the lack of refreeze. All avalanches initiated on really steep slopes near rocks in sunny aspects (maybe >50° slopes) and didn't carry very far out into flats, usually stalling out around 20-30° slopes. They all looked fairly old, maybe a few days to a week or so, except for a few smaller ones that maybe looked a day old. There were still plenty of snow bridges over most small creek crossings above 7500 or so, but definitely in need of evaluation if you try to do them. We had great views and weather all around and even tried some glissading down from glacier pass.

Avalanche

Size

D1.5

Type

WL

Count

3

Aspect

NW

Trigger

N

Elevation

8000 ft

Lots of small wet loose avalanches ranging between D1-1.5 on sunny aspects south of glacier pass. One D1.5-D2 on NW aspect. All natural wet loose.