Observation: Pole Line Pass

Coverage from the trailhead left us riding on ice and dirt for sections until about 7600', where consistent snow coverage began along the road. Above 7800', the snow surface was 4-6 inches of dense, somewhat damp mix of powder and graupel over top a melt-freeze crust on all aspects. Facets exist below the crust everywhere we dug. HS 16-22 inches. While snow at mid-elevations below Big Flat was damp, the wet snow seems to have already reached it's peak of activity—worth removing from the forecast tomorrow. Dropping just on the other side of Sandy Baker Pass below 8500', the snowpack dramatically changed in character: thinner coverage, lower snow heights, and more rocks to dodge.