Snow fall varied widely across the forecast zone. The Sawmill snow sensor in the Bishop region above South Lake at 11,900’ recorded 7” of new snowfall, Rock Creek at 9600’ recorded 4”, field observations in the Mammoth Lakes Basin around 10,000’ measured ~1.5”, while snow sensors Mammoth and north recorded barely an inch.
Variable and slick underlying conditions abound. A fall will be hard to self arrest in many areas, and even a small avalanche could have a very bad outcome especially with all the obstacles that exist. Ski crampons, crampons and ice ax have become standard equipment for travel in many areas. Enjoyable turns can still be found in northerly facing protected trees which continue to harbor softer faceted snow, as well as on sunny aspects as they warm from the sun.