Marion Lake

The Middle Fork has a way to foil one's ideal plan for early season touring, lest ye forget annually. Low tide conditions, fields of alder and untrustworthy ice on Marion Lake thwarted any efforts to climb into the upper elevation bands. 

•Recent snow from Essex to Marion Lake was around 5". Snow density increased as temperatures steadily warmed throughout the day, however my high point of 5900' remained below freezing, at least during my stay. 
•Around 5000', fields of alder were being laid to rest from recent snow and ice, but the higher I climbed, the alder has shed their snow and remained prevalent on all aspects where present. 
•Marion Lake was frozen, but any attempts to cross it would be a game of chance and luck. 

•Snowpack was surprisingly thin around the lake but ranged from 16" - 25" (which reflects Tunnel Ridge snow readings). 
•A thin, friable crust existed 8-12" from the surface, but there was no reactivity at this interface. 
•There was no storm slab problem in this area, however bear in mind my travels terminated at the lake (5900').  
•With a lot of effort, one could access upper elevations where the terrain looked more winterlike, however it would be a shortlived endeavor. 

•Thanks to the individual(s) who cleared part of Marion Lake trail yesterday. I cleaned up the remaining blowdown on my skin up. 

With so little snow, and so much alder, there were no signs of instability or recent avalanches in the terrain I could see.