Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

TLDR: coverage is better than expected. Snow is getting very thin in places and post-holing is becoming a bigger risk. Running water at the top of Big Trees + No Fog presents a considerable risk both up and down. Most overhanging snow has fell and I did not observe any wet slides or snow/cornice falling.

Winter Exit Route: I would not recommend this route. I took the winter exit route on the west side of the basin for my way in, figuring this would help me skip trying to cross the creek further in. While the snow was mostly continuous (and very, very dirty) from the TH, the boulder field is almost entirely melted and what snow is left there is getting thin. I punched through more than once and exercised caution moving through this section while navigating the slide alder + thorns. Other than the boulder field, it was pretty smooth.

Snow Lake Trail: I descended out on this trail. The first ~0.5miles (from the parking lot) of this was snow free. From there there was snow mostly continuous all the way past the Snow Lake / Source Lake trail split. Note: this snow was also filthy and not ideal for skinning. You're likely hiking until you get higher up towards the divide. As you can see in my picture, the apron is almost fully melted.

Pineapple Pass Area: the chutes that take you up to PP are in pretty good shape other than the top. There's quite a bit of running water from Great Scott Bowl and holes in the snow are growing in size. As I climbed higher I slowly opted towards hikers left - just left of the big trees chute and away from the water. Great Scott is still in great shape. I didn't posthole at all and the snow was creamy around noon. Coming back down, I don't have great advice. I skied down Big Trees and there were both very large tree wells and running water. I think the best option here is to hike down the big tree spine/ridge past the running water, and then drop in and ski the chute from there.