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UAC Director Mark Staples strikes his best Monty Atwater on the summit of Pre Laurel Peak.
Skies are clear this morning and NW winds are averaging 10-15 mph with gusts into the 20's along ridgetops. Temps are nice and cool - 29 degrees at the Geyser Pass trailhead, 20 in Gold Basin, and 17 on top of Pre Laurel Peak. Look for it to warm up to near 40 at 10,000' today for a beautiful, if not a bit breezy, day in the mountains.
Mark and I took a high tour around greater Gold Basin yesterday and found mixed but decent riding conditions. The dusting of snow from earlier in the week finally melted into the sun exposed slopes by mid-day, and good corn conditions are setting up on SE-S-W aspects. For the best corn snow, drop below the ridgetops and get out of the wind. We found dry snow on upper elevation, northerly aspects, but the wind has certainly had it's way with it since last weekend. Don't be deceived by smooth looking crusted areas - instead look for snow that is lightly etched for the softest, most turnable snow.
Looks can be deceiving. The softest, least crusted snow often has an etched appearance such as this.
Winds, temperature and humidity on Pre-Laurel Peak
New snow totals, temperature and humidity in Gold Basin
Total snow depth and temperature at Geyser Pass Trailhead