Northern San Juan

No avalanches observed.

Temperatures rose quickly to above freezing under clear skies with a light southwest breeze. Winds began to increase near the end of the trip, and daytime highs reached the mid-forties.

Around 8" of settled storm snow from last week was observed at the top of Owl Pass after an estimated 12" fell in the area. Since we stayed mostly on snowpack roads throughout the day due to the shallow snowpack and mediocre snowmobile skills, this snowpack observation is more of a general impression and suggests it has been a low-snow year in the Cimarrons. Looking up at many high-alpine slopes, the snowpack was thin as rocks, and much of the ground texture is still visible. Spring weather has warmed the snow surface, and a stout crust has formed. Digging on a southwest aspect near an open meadow, water has reached the ground, and large percolation columns were observed throughout the snowpack. Warm weather continues to melt the snow, especially at lower elevations, and the road we came in on melted significantly while we were in the field, leading to a muddy ride out. Generally, the Cimarrons are like other areas in the Southern Mountains. Below average, and quickly transitioning to spring. I would think there are slabs sitting over facets in the high alpine, and if you triggered an avalanche, it would be on a steep, shallow north slope.