Observation from Waterhouse Peak

Hiked up Waterhouse Peak to check the snow conditions. While small patches of snow are present close to the bottom it was easy to avoid them on the south side of the gentle east ridge until about 9000 feet. While the slope angle of this terrain is mellow the snow surface is currently icy and slippery and we were glad we brought crampons. The snow on the sunny side of the ridge was mostly supportable to walking, but as soon as we wrapped over the north facing shady aspect the horrendous post holing indicated the presence of well developed facets under the breakable crust. 

Photo 1: Looking W-NW from the small knob at 9000. I was trying to see how wide the snow coverage was in the main bowl here. The dense trees made it difficult but it appeared to be mostly continuous (although super shallow) coverage extended a little below 9000 feet on shady terrain.

Photo 2: These slopes had a sun roughened surface texture. 

Photo 3: The clear line of snow and dirt to the south of the summit.

Photo 4: The north facing slopes of Stevens Peak. While hard to tell depth, the amount of terrain covered in snow was more than I anticipated. Little Roundtop also appeared to have continuous snow from the summit down towards the bench below. 

Photo 5: Impressively weak facets just under the surface.