Aspen
SnowpackDylan Craaybeek · Dec 6, 2021 · Aspen
Weather
The temperature was 28F in Ashcroft at 10:00AM and stayed just below or near 32F throughout the day. Broken skies to start the morning getting more overcast as the day progressed. By the time I was back at the trailhead the sky was dark and a few snowflakes were falling around 2:30 PM. Calm winds all morning picking up around 1:30-2:00PM with occasional moderate gusts. No visible wind loading at the ridgeline.
Snowpack
Shallow and patchy snowpack below the treeline on most aspects. North and northeast slopes held a continuous snowpack above 10,000 feet and east facing slopes visible near and above the treeline held continuous snow. All the snow I traveled on was well developed facets from the surface down to the ground. Widespread surface hoar was also found throughout Castle Creek drainage mostly <1 cm large with some meadows growing surface hoar crystals up to 10 cm (see picture).