October 29
Cardiff Fork
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7500-10500', angles over 35°, north and east facing aspects
Snow conditions
6-10" of dense, damp snow from 7500-9000'.
Above that elevation, I'd call it "creamy" but, winds had created shallow drifts. The drifting was 2-8" deep with only isolated cracking .
Total depth 12-24".
Weather
Partly to mostly cloudy skies. Mild temperatures. Winds from the south, gusty and swirling with speeds approaching 20 mph.
Evaluation
Snow was stable. Small rollers and pinwheels were the only noted activity.
There may be an active wind drift or two scattered around but mild temperatures suggest they are few and far between
November 1
Mineral Fork
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7k-10400', angles over 35°, north and east facing aspects
Snow conditions
Less than 6" total snow from the trailhead to about 8500'. Amounts increased above that elevation to maybe 20" total.
New snow amounts from the weekend storm were 3-4" settled. That new snow has already faceted and rests on a firm old snow base.
Isolated graupel pooling was found in predicatble locations(lower angled, below rockbands}
Weather
Suny skies, cool temperatures warming by afernoon. Light wind
Evaluation
Stable snow was found with, day time heating once again producing small rollers following the compass with the sun.
Probably a good idea to check the faceting on high north facing from time to time, especially with any forecast of another storm.
November 3
Mill D north fork to Little Water peak
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7500-9200', angles over 35°, all aspects
Snow conditions
Tthere was a trace or zero snow on south facing up to around 8k. Above that elevation 6" or so linger. North facing at 9k has 12-20". It has retained several layers, the light density from the recent storm is now crusted.
Rollers were once again noted on east and west facing with day time heating( look for the arrow).
Weather
Mild temperatures and little wind.
Evaluation
Stable snow concditions. Wet activity could be a concern if a determined person decided to descend a sun exposed slope after significant warming.
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