Hiking with a friend and doggo off lower Mirror Lake Highway and dug a pit to evalve area at 7600' facing East. Found the sugar/rot at ground level. The meter thick slab above the faceted layer had good cohesion. Our snow column collapsed at four wrist taps. We played it safe staying out of the low ravine and spacing out / moving fast when hiking below steep terrain. This area is popular with hikers and snow shoers. Today's analysis proves always consider avi conditions and surrounding terrain even when on a casual walk.