Melt Freeze Conditions on Red Lake Peak

We went to Red Lake Peak today to monitor snow surface conditions and wet snow development.  At 10:30am at lower elevation east aspects, firm melt freeze crusts existed 6'' deep with the surface snow starting to melt and soften with warm temperatures and light winds.  As we moved up to higher terrain above 8800' and changed aspects more to NE on the ridge route, ski crampons made for more secure travel on the firm snow surface.  Light to moderate winds on the summit area were keeping the snow surface on the firm side.  We started our descent just after 12pm and once off of the summit, we had soft, smooth, and very consistent corn snow conditions from the top to bottom.  The East face of Red Lake Peak has very good snow coverage with some areas smoother than others-some wind effected snow and old wet loose avalanche debris exist in some places.  The deep snowpack made for very easy travel conditions back to the trailhead.