Observations from Castle Peak

A solid freeze greeted us at the Castle Peak trailhead this morning. We observed signs of an inversion, but didn't notice any surface hoar during our tour. We found decent corn type conditions on sunny aspects between 1030 and 1230. A few inches of soft melted snow on top of a supportable base. There were moderate south winds just at the ridge top (around 7900 feet). These helped keep the ridge proper cool and firm, but direct south facing aspects still softened. We found very firm conditions on north facing terrain to the north of Andesite Peak. A few clouds rolled in as we departed the area around 3pm. 

Photo 1: This hand pit revealed a breakable crust with uncohesive near surface facets below. This was on the shady side of an open meadow around 7600 feet. The sunnier side of the meadow had a much thicker crust with little to no near surface facets below. 

Photo 2: Moving some soft kinda corn on sunny slopes.