Skyline Ridge/Tye Peak

Skinning up the Skyline road, we were pleasantly surprised to find a few inches of colder, low-density new snow above the punchy 2/28 warm-up interface. At 4,400ft, we found 4F+ snow (2/28) over light Fist hard snow, from the 26-27th, 27cm below the surface.

Once above 5000 ft, the snow became significantly deeper and less punchy underfoot. In a test profile at 4900 ft, ESE aspect, we found an HS of 340 cm. At this location, we targeted the Early February crust (EFC) and Mid-February crust sandwich (possibly 2/14 crust and 2/24 with a 1cm layer of facets in between). We found the Mid-February crust 120 cm below the surface and the EFC 150 cm below the surface.  We generally found these interfaces rounding (1mm rounding facets)  and gaining strength. As suspected, the EFC wasn't an issue at this location, however, the Mid-February crust was surprisingly problematic. Both the Deep Tap test and PST showed a potential for human triggering and propagation: DTM 15 (SP), PST 26/150 END Down 125cm on 1.0mm rounding facets.  Test results for the EFC were: DTM 16 (RP), PST 103/150 END.

Moving higher towards the ridgetop at 5400 ft, the wind gusts were in the moderate range and drifted small amounts of new snow into leeward aspects. Recent drifts and wind features were reactive to stubborn and showed only little propagation.

Overall,  we found a deep snowpack and improved travel conditions after the recent storm.  By midday, the sun formed a thin crust on steep, sunny slopes. The crust got thicker below 4,500ft. There were plenty of other hazards observed, such as deep, open creeks and tree-wells lurking.