Toured up to Middle Peak from Castle Lake. Snow conditions were firm and icy except for south facing slopes which were soft and skiing nicely by 11:00 a.m. Sheltered north facing slopes above 6,000' had 8-10 cm of soft, recycled snow above a crust. Everything else was looking pretty firm and rough. It was very warm and south facing slopes are melting out. There are a lot more manzanita bushes showing. Wind was light on the ridgetops out of the east. Ski crampons are a good thing to bring along if touring in this area. Some glide cracks and evidence of an old glide avalanche were visible on north facing rock slabs near Castle Spire. No signs of instability were observed. 

• Observation Location: Middle Peak
• Elevation: 6,500'
• Date: 20220123
• Time: 1200
• Observer: R. Lazzeri
• Sky Conditions: CLR
• Current Precipitation: NO
• Air Temperature: 40 °F
• Total Snow Depth (HS): 150 cm
• 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 0
• 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W): 0
• Wind Direction: E
• Wind Speed: Light
• Column & Block Tests:
  • Slope Angle & Aspect: 25 degrees NW aspect
  • ECTX
  • 150cm HS on NW aspect 6,200 feet. Sheltered bowl. 8-10 cm F- hard small faceting rounds on top of 5 cm MF crust. These pockets of soft snow are isolated to sheltered north facing slopes above 6,000 ft.