Front Range
AvalancheWil Rickards · May 7, 2018 · Front Range
Weather
Bluebird. Temps were 32º F at the Trailhead at 7.00 am, it had been 38º in Georgetown when I drove through. Bierstadt seemed to miss the memo that we had snow this week. Winds were less than 10 mph.
Snowpack
Managed to find a complete skin track up towards Square Top but I doubt that will be possible now. The East Facing gullies down to Square Top lake looked good but I didnt want to walk out to Guenella Pass and then ski out on the road which is rapidly melting. I could not see into the north facing gullies from the summit so opted not to ski them alone. The route I chose had a lot of snow up at the top of the ridge, I then had to billy goat to get into the main snow field. A shovel shear isolated the same layers we have seen all season. A shovel compression did not release until I beat the crap out of it (technical term). It then came out clean on an ice lens. There was a fair amount of wet slough at 10.00 am when I skied the line. The snow was really heavy down towards the car.
Avalanche
None seen.