Observations from Indian Valley

Mostly a cool and breezy day around Blue Lakes today, with snow showers lasting until 4pm. Light NE winds observed to be moving some snow, with very small cornices building on SW features, but no signs of unstable wind slab developing below them. The Indian Valley area gets wind from all directions, and provides numerous small features representing all aspects to use as test slopes. Slope cuts, including moving incrementally higher on slopes to undercut potential slabs, did not show signs of lingering instability from recent storm snow and winds, or from current winds. Examining trenches, and more fine work with a shovel, indicated a "right side up" snowpack above a thick and partially refrozen rain crust.

Picture: While the pile of snow against the tree is probably not a settlement cone, the crack is likely from settlement. Today did briefly get warm in the sun, and snow surface changes could be felt while riding - a good reminder that even with our recent cold storms, and the upcoming cold temps, the late February sun still has the potential to have quite an impact.