We found over 10 inches of new snow in the morning with light snowfall occurring throughout the day. The snowpack in this area was thin on south facing aspects below tree line and surprisingly weak on easterly aspects below and near tree line. Easy propagation occurred on depth hoar in stability tests below tree line and we could not find a noticeable slab between 11,600ft and 11,800ft. If the snowfall anticipated in the next few days produces enough water, it may trigger instabilities deeper in this weak snowpack.

Watrous Gulch.

From the Herman Gulch Trailhead, we ascended Watrous Gulch to easterly aspects near tree line on Mount Machebeuf and descended the same route.

Ascending south facing aspects below tree line, we found a thin snowpack mainly composed of new snow over a thin melt freeze crust and basal facet layer. I experienced minor cracking on storm snow on very small wind drifted features. Continuing up to easterly aspects below tree line, the melt freeze crust was less firm, and the height of snow ranged from 60- 140cm. A snow pit dug on southeast aspect below tree line revealed a weak snowpack with easy extended column test results on 4F depth hoar layer (ECTP15 and ECTP12). Continuing up easterly aspects to open features below and near tree line, I found what a colleague found on 2/4/2025: no discernible slab. I probed around between 11,600ft and over 11,800ft and aside from slabs on obvious wind drifted features, my probe easily found its way to the ground. A snow pit here confirmed it. I found a snowpack composed of new snow, decomposing fragments, facets and depth hoar. This structure only produced minor propagation on upper weak layers in extended column tests. The height of snow in this elevation band was between 30-200cm. I did not observe any avalanches in my tour.

Overcast skies with light snowfall all day, light west winds with moderate gusts and mild temperatures.