Bishop Creek-South Fork

Headed into the Bishop Creek drainage to assess road access to trailheads, loading from recent snow and timing of softening. Road to South Lake is open to Weir Pond (15 minute walk to South Lake). Road to Sabrina is open to lake. Road to North lake has a soft closure at bridge crossing. Further up the road a large snow bank ~1/2 mile from North Lake blocks the road.

9:00 South Lake parking lot. Light wind and few snow streamers from summits. Slight melting on solar aspects. T air = 6C. 2-4 feet of snow around shores of South Lake. Toured along shore and into north facing drainage leading to Treasure Lakes. 2-3 cm new snow with melt freeze crust from yesterday's warming.

10:00 10,400 feet. Ski penetration from 1 to 5 cm depending on aspect. No melting in shaded areas. Up to 10 cm of new snow in wind deposited areas.

11:00 Continued up ridge to the west of Treasure Lake #1. SW wind moderate to strong with surface transport of snow widespread. 10cm of dry, wind affected snow on North and Northeast aspects.  Sasstrugi widespread on exposed slopes.  Very little melting.  Ski penetration 0-10cm along ridge. Tair = -2C. Air and snow conditions more like winter than spring at my high point (11,500 ft).

Skiied Northeast facing slope above Treasure Lake #1.  Mostly 10 cm of turnable, wind affected snow. No cracking on ski cuts that I made at top of this slope. Below Treasure Lake, snow variable by aspect.