New snow and evidence of rain on Powderhouse

Toured Powderhouse.  

At 9:30am, snow at the trailhead (7700 ft) consisted of about 5” of new snow atop rain soaked snow. Weather was 30°F, with calmer wind and sunnier skies than expected, and with no precipitation during our tour. Significant settlement cones were apparent below 8500, and treetops were holding new snow on their branches. 

We dug a quick pit on a N aspect below treeline, at 8530 ft (see pin) and found a right side up snowpack with no evidence of rain. CT 20, (Q3, B). About 35cm (~14")  of storm snow with very little cohesion was on top of previous snow consisting of decomposing snow and rounds, making HS at our pit 120cm. We did not notice buried surface hoar or facets. No other instabilities were noted in our zone which kept us below treeline and out of wind-loaded areas. We did observe some areas where snow felt upside-down while on our skin up at lower elevations, while pole-probing, perhaps due to rain the night prior. Regardless of the rain and high snow levels associated with this storm, coverage remained very good as well.