Observations from Echo Lake area

Went to Echo Lakes area to take advantage of the flat terrain and safe views looking up at Becker Peak and Talking Mt. Given report of recent activity on similar terrain at Angora, I was curious if there would evidence of recent natural avalanche activity here. Didn't see hardly any natural activity, just one faint flank on Becker. Dug pits in safe locations below Talking and also on Becker Ridge. Similar snow structure to what is being observed in forecast area, with soft fresh snow on top of facet/crust combo. Tests were somewhat unimpressive. Moderate CTs with RP fracture character and then multiple ECTNs on the crust/facet layer at the lower elevation location below Talking. Similar results on Becker Ridge as well as repeatable PST 45/100 END just above crust. My ridge location was about 500 feet higher in elevation, but the snow was uncohesive (and perhaps some windslab would have prodcued more interesting results). 

Conditions warmed quickly near midday and sun exposed snow was getting heavy and wet exiting Becker Ridge. I applied skin wax twice.

Photo 1: Looking up at Becker Peak. Faint flank is visible on lookers left by dead tree (and extends above and out of site on this photo). 

Photo 2: PST 45/100 END just above 1/4 crust. 

Photo 3: Hand hardness down to facet/crust layer at upper pit location.

Photo 4: Snow was rapidly melting off sun exposed trees by 1130.