January 2-3, 2010, Bagley Peak / Marmot Ridge

Tim Place and I cycled Bagley Peak out of the upper baker ski area parking lot on Sat. There was 19"+ of new snow that fell at temps. of 30-32F. Visibility was fair and avalanche conditions were rated at high for 4k and extreme at higher elevations. I agreed with Tim when he said that he was observing just the opposite. Snow was less reactive up higher. No natural activity was seen and skiers were testing East to NE facing slopes with nothing more than sluffs. As the day wore on, lower elevations were becoming more reactive and we left when we sensed this...On Sunday, we skied Marmot Ridge in the sunshine!! Views were great and skiing took place on nice, cold wind deposited snow. Vehicle access is still very good and will likely remain so for the week. There is a "no wheeled vehicles" sign at the upper snopark, but I doubt any enforcement is valid, since there is bare road and tire tracks beyond mile 7.