Front Range
SnowpackAmanda Ian Loughlin Fowler · Dec 12, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
Surprisingly calm for the Indian Peaks. Temps in the mid 20s, scattered skies, no wind.
Snowpack
As previously mentioned, the snowpack below treeline is still thin. A snowpit dug at 9600 below treeline on east aspect revealed new snow on top of a slab on top of facets and decomposing snow. An Extended Column Test (ECT) produced ECTP27 at 25cm. Boot penetration was 50cm to the ground at 10,500ft and ski penetration was about 10cm. We observed wind drifts adjacent to the southernmost Crater Lake with HS up to 130cm. A pit dug on southeast aspect near treeline at 10,700ft revealed HS of 73cm and new snow on top of large slabs over facets. We completed five ECTs and 1,2,4 and 5 produced ECTX. 4 produced ECTP3 at 5cm and we noticed the column was over a log. A snowpit on north aspect near treeline at 10,500ft had HS of 117 with similar structure.