Backcountry Obs:

The season is wrapping up. Snow at all but the highest elevations is turning into a singular mass of melt/freeze snow while lower elevation zones are burning out completely. Below 7000′, trails in North Lake have reappeared and meadows now budding into delicate green hues. ‘Tis the season of skiing, biking, paddling, (insert mountain activity) all in the same day.

Above 8000′, coverage remains good, especially in shady zones, but surface conditions are sporty. Forest litter covers an ever-wavier snowpack in sheltered areas, while open zones host spring corn or icy refrozen surfaces, depending on timing. If the itch of warmer temps hasn’t lured you away onto the reappearing trails, now’s the time to get into the bigger peaks where the snowpack is largely stable, weather’s calm, and long days facilitate deep missions.

Timing is critical in spring. Depending on the strength of overnight refreezes, mid-morning through early afternoon can host the best corn as snow surfaces thaw each day. Too early and the skiing is firm and chattery. Too late and snow turns to manky, hot mush. Time it just right and the rewards are smooth, buttery bliss.

Weather and forecast thoughts:

The current spring pattern is locked in for the foreseeable future as the great melt out to summer marches forward. Sunny days with stretches of mild temps, followed by brief cool downs seems to be the rule through the end of the month. Since Fri (4/18), overnight refreezes have returned, keeping the corn cycle going each day.

This week, expect warm high temps in the upper 40s and low 50s across the backcountry, with decent surface refreezes most nights. Model suggest another cool down coming in around the end of the work week through next weekend (4/24-4/27), with a chance of some showers. Highs will fall back into the upper 30s to mid 40s from 7-9000′ later in the week.

While it feels like the summer pattern has already arrived, mid-late spring storms are very common, so another shot of powder is very possible looking into early May, especially in the High Sierra and the northern volcanoes.

For now, though, it’s time to enjoy the brief season of “cheeeese-burger” chickadee calls announcing the day, long, buttery descents, creek-chilled beers, and chips and salsa at the car. Long live spring!