Forestdale Rd.

I went out Forestdale Road to find what is left of the snowmobile terrain. It was 58° when I left the parking lot with a light and consistent southwest wind.  The road was 60% covered with snow.  I traveled to 9000 feet where the wind increased to 22 mph on the ridge top. With the windchill, the temperature decreased to 46°. The wind appeared to keep surface temps cool and the riding fast, however there was widespread surface melt.  Below tree line the snow was soft and mushy, near and above tree line showed an overnight refreeze that was supportable to walk on and left minimal sled tracks. It was fast and corny in the alpine, sticky in the trees. 
I dug a quick pit on a north slope and found a knife hard melt freeze crust that was 20 cm thick. All aspects showed some degree of surface melt, some significantly more than others. Norths were firm.  East facing slopes had more melt and a thinner crust. South and west facing slopes were mostly dry. The snowpack was variable; supportable on most aspects, however pockets of knee-high mush scattered between. The snow was textured and bumpy with sun cups.  Ski pen was 2-4 cm, boot pen was 2-25cm.  HS was 0 - 120cm. 
I rode a north facing slope from 9000 feet and it was grippable, but the speed bumps demanded a slower descent.  Terrain selection was limited dependent on coverage. The biggest challenge was the tree wells and creek crossings. The snowmobiling was rewarding in areas with the most melt and manageable in zones that were still firm.  I did not see any wet loose instabilities on test slopes, nor while observing suspect areas within the local terrain. The biggest hazard was rocks and branches protruding from the snow, thin snow bridges and open holes. There were there was evidence of small glide cracks where the snowpack is creeping downhill.

It is spring/ summer style riding.  There are still turns to be had... if you want to work for them.  The sledding was more rewarding than the shredding.  Terrain is very limited to north and east faces.  It is not possible to access Polaris bowl nor Blue Lakes due to dirt.  The lakes are showing liquid water.