Aspen

None observed in backcountry or Highway Paths

It snowed lightly throughout the morning. Wind was generally steady and light from the west with an occasional moderate gust that would knock the abundant snow off the trees.

The storm snow measured at the road summit (8700') is 20" while I observed about 30" on the leeward slopes of Bears Gulch. The storm snow has a favorable density profile, with generally lighter, fluffier snow resting above denser, heavier snow. The snow depth was deeper than expected at over 170cm there, while it was half that on the southwest-facing slopes on approach. The uppermost melt-freeze crust which may mark the 2/17 interface is down about 45cms on the southwest-facing slopes.