Powderhouse observation

We toured up the ENE ridge of Powderhouse to a high point of 8700', where HS=85cm. Snow was soft and cold at all observed elevations except where affected by tree bombs, with consistent ski penetration of 20-30cm and a measured boot penetration of 55cm at our high point. We observed much snow melting off of trees in the sun, but almost all trees still held snow. 

Snowpack was generally right-side-up, with F-hard snow at the surface down to 1F-hard snow near the ground. We did observe 1-2cm of softer, 4F-hard grains at the ground, which upon hasty observation appeared to be rounding facets. 

Skies were more clear than forecasted with full sunny skies in the morning and high, thin clouds moving in in the afternoon. Winds were mostly calm on our tour below treeline, and no blowing snow was observed.