Hidden Valley, Core Lodge area

Went up Hidden Valley on skis, to saddle S of Mt. Kostuik. Above zero and windy. The day before was +7 at the core lodge, so some refrozen snow and very wind hammered at treeline. Dug a quick pit at base of saddle. Two ice crusts, one 30 cm down, one 75 cm down. Hs variable, 105 to 175. Snow is well bonded to the crusts. Skied some OK snow in sheltered spots down from the saddle. More like a spring snowpack.