Front Range

Snowpack

Today, while out on the St. Vrain trail, a friend and i decided to dig a snow pit to check conditions below a ridge at about 10200ft. We decided to check so early because the temps were very warm, and while it was lightly snowing, it was very wet snow. Additionally, we were noticing as we went higher and entered clearings that the snow beneath my skins was collapsing about an inch below my skin track in a slaby fashion. When we dug the pit we found a hard slab on the surface an inch or two deep. Below that, soft wet snow for around 8-10 inches. At that point, the snow pack composition changed dramatically and was visibly wet. the first inch or so was soft, then there was a very large slab, at least 10 inches thick, possibly thicker. On a sheer test, it slid easily on the bed surface below it that was substantially deep and completely unconsolidated. We stopped digging at this point and headed back to the trailhead rather then tempt fate on higher and steeper terrain.