Front Range

Snowpack

Skied dry gulch today. Skinned up to east side of Mt. Trelease. About 6-8" parking lot new, 11-13" mid-slope new, and about 14-16" above treeline. Lots of wind above treeline moving snow and in some places 24"+ depths, but denser snow in these areas. The snow was much lighter than expected, and had not had much wind on it below treeline. At about noon temps creeped up to low 30's and snow started to moisten slightly. By 1:30 or so, was snowing hard and snow was a little more moist below treeline, but still drier above. Snow in tree branches did not melt near treeline and slightly below. Skied north facing trees down drainage on north side of mt. trelease. Skied well, but as we skied the lower half, snow temp warmed enough and moistened enough that new snow was starting to slab easily and move short distances at a slow speed. Creek is not showing itself like normal and most of the willows are completley buried in the main drainage. Still snowing/graupel when left at 3pm. Overall snowpack on the south-southeast aspects was supportable with new snow over. North aspects were supportable, but layer below this new storm layer was wet/soft. Did have two collapses, with the previous storm snow under this new layer as the most likely culprit. One on a SE 25degree slope near treeline, and the other on a north apsect below treeline.