General Conditions Below, Near, and Above Treeline

Observed conditions on a tour up to Helen Lake (10,400 ft):

• 7,000-8,500 ft: 4-6 in (10-15 cm) of moist to wet snow. Calm to light winds, above freezing temperatures.
• 8,500-9,500 ft: 1/2 in (1 cm) of dry to moist snow on top of firm snow.  Smooth surfaces on easterly aspects. Wind eroded surfaces and sastrugis on westerly and southerly aspects. Moderate NW and NE winds with strong gusts. Near freezing temperatures.
• 9,500-10,500 ft: Firm conditions with sun crusts, wind crusts, sastrugis, and wind eroded surfaces. Moderate NW and NE winds with strong gusts. Near to below freezing temperatures.

No signs of instability. Snowpack is locked up. Moderate transport of snow by NE and NW winds, but no accumulation or wind slab development observed. If current weather patterns continue, expect to see corn snow by the weekend.