Wind scouring, shallow pow, and buried surface hoar on Lincoln Ridge.

We toured the Lincoln Ridge area today and found more recent storm snow and no 12/24 rain crust at lower elevations than has been seen in other Sierra Crest locations further to the south at equal elevation. Below 7,000', we found 2-3 inches of recent storm snow on top of 12/24 rain crust. Above 7,200', there was 8 inches of recent storm snow on top of the 12/22 rain crust. The 12/24 rain crust was absent at 7,200' and above. Settlement cracks on trees showed ~2 inches of settlement within the recent storm snow.

Upon reaching near treeline terrain, we began to see the first signs of wind transport associated with the NE winds blowing the treetops above us. Once on the ridgetop, we saw wind eroded cornices on NNE-NE-E aspects and moderate amounts of drifting snow.

Snowpit data collected in near treeline terrain, previously wind loaded by SW storm winds revealed the 12/4 buried surface hoar layer. This layer was difficult to trigger, but once collapsed, propagating fracture was observed in snowpit tests. These surface hoar crystals were flattened and fairly decomposed, but still large at 10mm.

Good skiing/snowmobiling snow surface conditions were traveled on wind protected NE aspect slopes below treeline while exiting the area.