Similar to what I found Sunday at Hidden Valley; basal weak layers are harder on north facing aspects than easterlies. I found melt freeze crusts on north through south aspects below tree line, and both wind slabs and melt freeze crusts on east through north aspects near tree line. Yesterday's snowfall was in active transport today, with the most concerning areas being shallow easterlies near tree line that formed a recent wind slab and also have a melt freeze crust/ facet combination. I did not see any avalanches and experienced minor cracking on melt freeze crusts and wind slabs.

Meadow Mountain, Indian Peaks Wilderness.

From the winter parking area, I ascended the road to the summer trail to southeast through north aspects near tree line on Meadow Mountain and descended the same way.

I found a similar height of snow below tree line today as when I was here last on 1/5/2025, which was 0-60cm. I found melt freeze crusts on north through south aspects below and near tree line. In a sheltered spot below tree line, I measured 6cm of new snow that was in active transport everywhere else. On east aspects near tree line, I found both wind slabs and melt freeze/ facet or decomposing snow combinations. The height of snow was deeper on east through north aspects. A snow pit dug on a southeast aspect at 10,700ft showed obvious signs of recent warming: melt freeze crusts, rounded polycrystals, and an ice layer. I was not able to get results on an extended column test, but got a result of 35/100 (End) on propagation saw test. My second snow pit on north northeast aspect near tree line showed multiple layers of slabs and facets but was also not reactive to an extended column test. Above tree line, the snow was wind effected on east through north aspects and west facing aspects were stripped.

Scattered to sunny skies, warm temperatures, moderate west wind with strong gusts and active snow transport.