Talking Mountain Observation

Between Hwy 89 closed at Camp Richardson and at Luther Pass, and limited snow clearing in Meyers it was a bit challenging to get into the backcountry in South Lake today. The Echo Lakes SnoPark is completely buried and the access road unplowed, but there was a spot on Hwy 50 near it that allowed us to access Talking Mountain and Echo Lakes. The late morning climb up the gentle ridge towards Becker Peak and Talking Mt was through warming powder that made for spectacular glopping snow on our skins. There was evidence of previous shifting winds along the ridge with cornices and wind erosion pointing in multiple directions. Snow was melting and dripping off the trees due to the warmth and direct sunlight. On the approach we had views into several south east facing bowls roughly below Cup Lake and before noon there were several large wet loose slides with one being several hundred feet long. 

Winds were light today but previous winds had clearly been intense and we were impressed with how low on Talking Mountain the snow had been impacted by winds. Roughly the upper half of the north facing trees had noticeable wind effect with some observable slab present well below treeline. From the summit of Talking we had excellent views into Desolation Wilderness and we could not see any evidence of avalanches. 

Skinning out along Echo Lake multiple areas of rollerballs were present on the sunny side of Flagpole. There was also a large older crown below the large cliff band on the north side of Talking Mountain. 

Photo 1: Impressive amounts of settlement occurring by mid morning on a warming slope. 

Photo 2: Evidence of previous NE winds and broken blackened tree debris on the snow.

Photo 3: Looking up at the bowl between Talking Mt and Becker. There appeared to be an old large crown that was mostly filled in near the bottom of this bowl. 

Photo 4: Rollerballs on a steep sunny slope.

Photo 5: Cracking above a ski track in below tree line terrain. 

Photo 6: Large old crown on north facing terrain on Talking.