Nowcast- Yesterday's trailing wave of moisture delivered a trace... perhaps a couple traces of snow in favored terrain across the range. High, thin clouds drift in and out of the region as storminess stays well to our north with its sights set on upstate New York. No worries if you forgot to plug the block heater in last night, it's mild this morning with trailhead temperatures registering in the low 30's (F), while the ridges feel a bit more winter-esque and in the mid 20's (F). Winds blowing 30-40 mph from west and southwest deliver a little bite near the high peaks. The snow surface is hit or miss, but swaths of soft, creamy snow in wind sheltered terrain await your arrival.
Forecast- Partly cloudy skies deliver a passing snow shower or two, otherwise clouds thin out as the day progresses. Winds blowing in the 40's from the west are gonna be obnoxious this morning, but should taper off by about dinnertime. High temperatures climb into the mid and upper 30's (F) and hover near freezing overnight.
Futurecast - We wrap up the workweek, high, dry, and warm. Setting a low-bar here, but there's a glimmer of hope for a few weak storms early next week.
Travel Conditions - Average snow depths across the region register in the 12-16 inch range, while favored terrain around the North Slope flirts with the two foot mark. The pack is still extremely thin, and any major dude with half a heart, surely will tell you, my friend... slamming into a stump or rock barely lurking under the shallow snow surface will instantly throw a curveball at your day. The best riding is found on lower-angle, upper elevation, wind-sheltered, grassy meadows.
Wolf Creek Pass was buzzing Sunday! Lots of familiar (and some beautiful :) faces out and about enjoying the fresh snow, beautiful day, and even some turns!
Stubborn, yet reactive... and on Monday, Andy and Trevor remoted this beefy pocket on a steep, rocky, north facing (polar) slope in the wind zone, just under Murdock Peak. This terrain is easily accessed by the still open Mirror Lake Highway. Yup, you can step out of your car at Bald Mountain Pass and immediately walk into avalanche terrain. More on the slide HERE.
Earlier this week Ted took the sled out for a rip in the Whitney Basin and reported this well-connected yet relatively shallow, natural avalanche on Double Hill.
Lots of additional avalanche activity found HERE.
