May 31, 2004, Chinook Pass

Arrived about 9:45 find temp of 37, light snow falling, poor visibility.  Snow soon stopped and visibility improved - varied between 1/4 mile and 1 mile rest of the day.  There was about 2" of wet fresh snow down by the road, increasing to about 4" up on the ridge above little Tipsoo lake.  Snow was wet and heavy, but well bonded to lower layers.  Couldn't make anything shear with skis or shovel.  A few small pinwheels, but they were didn't travel but a few feet.  Say a little sign of surface slough in one steeper section.  Skiing was mediocre - very heavy and slow.  Had to find the steepest faces and keep them pointed downhill.  Good practice for not "overturning".  We did a few yo-yos down from the ridge up above the lake and a little on the backside (conditions there were about the same).  Left about 1:15 - 45 degrees and light mist/drizzle.  Coverage was good - maybe a little less than this time last year but should be good for at least another few weeks.  Fun day - but better for the quiet and animal tracks in the fresh snow than the skiing.