Spring like Conditions in Emerald Bay Chutes

Went searching for pseudo-corn skiing and found it, somewhat, in the Emerald Bay Chutes. Left the car at 8:15 am, and topped out on the ridge at 10:15 am. Had to hike through ~700 vertical feet of manzanita hell before I hit continuous snow. For most of the path, the snow was well consolidated and supportable, making cramponing very pleasant. However, in the upper 500 feet, where the aspect changed to slightly more easterly, the snow was crusty and more punchy, having seen fewer complete melt-freeze cycles. I did not see any roller balls or signs of loose wet instability however,  and everything seemed pretty well cooked down. I started descending 5 minutes after I topped out, as thin clouds had started to move in. Travel in the upper section was on a variety of surfaces, some frozen, some punchy, and some mushy, all with faceted winter snow right underneath. The snow improved as I descended, and the last  several hundred vertical was on an awesome 1-2" of consistent, large grain corn-like snow, on a supportable melt-freeze base. No roller balls or entrained snow at all on my descent, and I may have even been a bit early. Temps at the car when I left were -1 C, and by the time I got back at 11, had risen to 6 C. Overall, a great morning in the mountains, minus the thrashing to get to and from the snow.