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The snowpack in the La Plata Mountain's continues the trend it has carried on for most of the 2024/2025 season: a generally shallow and tired snowpack with recent snow resting above old well-formed facets on aspects with a north tilt, and little or no snow on aspects with a south tilt. Decent coverage generally begins around 10,500 feet and the La Plata Canyon road is experiencing yet another "mud season" so prepare to wash everything you own if your travel to or from the snow involves any transport more exciting than walking.
Burwell Peak and Boren Creek
Avalanches
Minor Loose Wet activity was observed, primarily roller balls from heated rocks.
Snowpack
I checked out the eastern half of the compass below and near treeline, photos attached, descriptions of findings below:
On southeast I found a snowpack that has seen warming from top to bottom. It is generally comprised of moist grains and crust layers. The only places I heard collapsing were on southeast aspects likely due to the failure of an upper pack crust just beneath the new snow. While crusts can promote faceting, the warmup will make quick work of any weakness associated with crusts on this aspect.
On east I also found layers of moist grains and crusts. Mid-pack layers displayed many perc columns formed during previous warmups. While basal facets are preserved, these facets have seen previous warmups and generally have more strength than those on aspects with a north component.
On northeast I found well formed preserved depth hoar sitting beneath recent snow. As a classic "hard-over-weak" set up, the structure is concerning, however the overlying slab was not particularly strong nor connected. Repeatable moderate failures during compression tests, but no results during Extended Column Tests shows this classic struggle with well-formed persistent layers in shallow snowpacks.
Weather
Spring has sprung accompanied by the chorus of Pine Siskin and Golden-crowned Kinglet's. Temperatures climbed above 40 degrees around 11,000 feet, the warmest we've seen since March 10th. Winds were around 10 mph out of the northwest.