Observations from Echo Lakes

Variable snow surface conditions in the Echo Lakes area. On sunny aspects the snow was wet and melting by 900am. Trees were shedding snow in these areas. Once more elevation was gained and a less sun exposed aspect achieved, a more wintry snow surface was present with Surface Hoar showing up above 8500 on ridges. There was a noticeable breakable crust on north aspects at all elevations in this area. While descending north facing mostly treed terrain, so much water was dripping off trees that I stopped to verify that it wasn't actually raining. Surface Hoar was again present at lower elevations in open areas on north facing terrain just above Echo Lake. 

Photo 1: Saturated wet snow

Photo 2: Surface Hoar growing in flat and north aspects on ridge above 8500 feet. Size ranged up to 6 mm. 

Photo 3: Lingering clouds (and perhaps some smoke) over Tahoe indicating inversion and the Surface Hoar up high. 

Photo 4: Snow settlement crack. There were several of these in the area.