Observations from Underwood Bowl

Snow cover varied greatly by aspect. On the south aspects, very little to no snow existed below 8400 ft. Slopes were mostly dirt with some patches of snow. Above 8400 ft, snow cover on south aspects became more widespread and consistent but remained shallow with snow depths ranging from 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in). The top 5 cm (2 in) of surface snow on these sun-exposed S aspects softened into corn snow during the day. The snow on these aspects remained ski supportable all day. 

On the N aspects, widespread snow cover ranging from 80 to 150 cm (30 to 60 in) deep existed in areas above 8100 ft. The surface snow remained soft, cold, dry, and unconsolidated on open N aspects above 8100 ft. as well. The surface snow was wet and sticky in the trees and at elevations below 8100 ft.  Along the ridgeline above Underwood Bowl between 8700 and 8800 ft. some large cornice collapses had recently occurred but no other signs of instability existed in this area. Snowpit data revealed that the old persistent weak layers of facets did exist in the snowpack, but tests targetting these layers indicated that they are gaining strength. Overall snowpit data indicated a well-consolidated snowpack.

Photo 1: 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) of corn snow on a S aspect at 3:00 pm.

Photo 2: Patchy snow cover on SE-S-SW aspects in the area. 

Photo 3: Recent cornice collapses and good snow cover on NE aspects.

Photo 4: Snow cover on N aspects and lack of snow cover on S aspects in the distance.