New Snow and Strong to Gale Force winds on Hidden Peak

We went to Hidden Peak today to asses wind loading and storm slab instabilities and to investigate the avalanche reported on March 1.  Parking was challenging on the West Shore, with minimal spots available.  At the trailhead, there was ~2" of fresh snow with graupel actively falling, which persisted into the upper elevations of Hidden.  This may create a problematic base layer for our incoming snow load.  Wind gusts were strong and intermittent from the highway, and we saw snow transport immediately after leaving the truck.  The combination of the incoming storm's new snowfall, strong winds, and old snow available for transport created very low visibility as we approached the bench.  Conditions did not permit us the opportunity to explore the avalanche reported on March 1.  Steep slopes, new snow, active wind loading, and very low visibility made the exposure unwarranted.  As we continued up the ridge, SW winds increased and became gale force.  Wind strength made exploring the ridge and assessing wind loading very difficult.  Despite being very early in the storm cycle, wind slab development was already in the 6-10" range.  Shooting cracks were traveling ~5'.  After leaving the ridge top conditions were much calmer, and visibility increased.  Snowfall rates were varied but were trending heavier, and we had 3-4" on new snow in our skin track within an hour.  We also documented the beginnings of storm slab instabilities, but the current snow load wasn't cohesive or deep enough to be problematic yet.