Canyon Creek - Excelsior

The lack of low-elevation snow is quite noticeable and there was no white in sight along the Canyon Creek Road until 3500' (parking at 3800').  As expected, new snow amounts were similar or slightly lower than around Heather Meadows.  It was also interesting to see the 12/21 rain crust was much thinner than in other sub-zones, with rounds below it instead of more melt forms. Can speculate Canyon Creek likley recieved less precipitation during the rain event on 12/20-21. With a stable snowpack, minimal wind transport, and a general lack of avalanche activity from the latest storm , it felt like you could enter many steep slopes in this area and not trigger an avalanche. Very good riding conditions in soft snow above 5000'.

At mid and upper elevations between 40-60cm of 4F>1F new snow over the stout knife-hard 12/21 rain crust. Crust was boot supportable under the new snow at upper elevations. Also, an additional soft, weak crust about 5-10cm above the 12/21. Below the crust pencil hard rounded grains down to another thick crust formed from heavy rain early in December.  Layer interfaces well bonded. Signs of wind transport or dense wind slab were isolated in distribution at 5500'. Low elevation areas below 4000' have limited snow cover with snow depths quickly increasing with elevation gain.