Northern San Juan
SnowpackChris Dickson · Dec 27, 2023 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Cold temps and clear skies, with an amazing full moon. Winds were light in the basin and gusting to moderate along the ridgetops. Some additional snow transport was observed with generally northerly winds.
Snowpack
Overall, the snowpack in the Ophir Pass area remains shallow and weak, with greater variability in snow depth above treeline due to the recent wind event. Above treeline, conditions vary widely depending on wind exposure, from rock solid to punchy. Near treeline, we found melt-freeze crusts on steep southerlies, but recycled powder and a mostly faceted snowpack on sheltered easts, wests, and norths. Below treeline, the snowpack continues to facet and lose cohesion and structure.