Soft Spring Snow on Rose Knob

We toured the Rose Knob area today to look at snow surface warming and general conditions.  This area had a good overnight freeze with firm skinning into the late morning.  Full sunshine and light winds made for warm conditions throughout the day.  The upper mountain was a combination of warming soft wind blown snow and transitional spring snow.  Ski conditions were supportable and mostly smooth.  At 8000' and below, the snow became deeper and wet by midday.  Around 4-6'' of wet snow existed above a firmer and more dense snow layer.  By noon, ski turns on steeper terrain did not produce any roller ball activity that would travel downhill.  Previous small roller ball activity and point releases were seen on the other side of the creek on SW aspects near 8000'. 

The Jan 4th rain crust varies considerably in this area.  It is not noticable on southerly aspects.  On northerly aspects, it was up to 2'' thick and fully supportable in some places and thin and breakable in others.  Loose faceted snow exists below this crust.