Maggies Peak Observations

We hiked to Maggies Peak, just south of Emerald Bay, to look at the existing snowpack structure and snow coverage in this area.  The summer trail is snow free up to 8000' where a few patches of firm snow start to exist.  Some continuous snow coverage starts around 8300' at the saddle and then up to the South Peak at 8600', but still conditions are thin with up to 1-1.5' of snow in some locations.  Areas of patchy snow and many natural anchors (rocks, logs, bushes, dirt, etc) are present throughout this N and NE terrain limiting continuous snow coverage for future weak layer development.  The snowpack here resembles other areas in the forecast region with a combination of rain crusts and faceted snow.  Though, warmer temperatures in this area have produced less faceting of the snowpack with more cohesive snow grains.