JHMR

Utilized the trusty chairlift to avoid the poor lower elevation travel. Forecasted snowfall amounts last night and today were on the low end, 4-8" above 8,000' from last 48 hours. Wind increased around noon forming shallow slabs, less than 6" deep. Snowfall ended around 13:00. New snow was sloughing on the steepest terrain, but starting to bond in hand shear test on lower angle slopes. 

Backcountry gates were not open to the public per the Sheriff's order. 

Observed some small pockets of instability and isolated shooting cracks on leeward terrain.

9,000 N aspect

HS: 160cm ECTN12 on the dust crust buried 24cm, 3/7 Mfcr buried 50cm, January drought layer buried 60cm. New snow 4F-1F hard slab. 

Biggest concern would be the new to old snow interface on the potatoe dust crust. New snow was starting to form a cohesive slab after warming yesterday afternoon, but no propagation in our snowpit. 

Deeper down, the snowpack had not completely froze after the big warm-up. Water did not percolate as significantly on northerly as other aspects (think somewhere between a wet and dry snowpack. Some call it moist.) There is still porous space in the JDL for water to pool in the future...