Front Range
SnowpackScott Robertson · Apr 9, 2011 · Front Range
Weather
Variable and gusty winds from the South/South West. Sunny in the AM with increasing cloud cover around noon which dropped temps significantly.
Snowpack
Extremely variable even on similar aspects. Noticed a 2" wind-slab formed (and cracked) on N. aspect early in morning but not after. Warming conditions created 6" of corn on less than 30 degree slopes (prior to 10 am) while nearby snow remained extremely hard due to surface winds? We heard an extremely large release (felt it even) while climbing above Loch Lomond, it seemed to come from the bowl to the NE of Bancroft which was out of sight. Two skiers had left before us and were seen heading that way, there car was still at the trail head when we left, which left us somewhat concerned. Widespread evidence of wet-snow activity from previous days on S/SW slopes. A hasty examination revealed a relatively solid layer of about 8-10" existing on top of unconsolidated sugar on S facing slopes (approx. 30 degrees) at roughly 11,500'. Extremely variable conditions. Cloud cover arriving around 11-noon helped solidify things descending from Lake Caroline. Hope this helps.