December 20, 2014, Paradise

Twitter feed said gate was to open at 10:00, but it actually opened at 9:30.   Chains required on 2wd above Nisqually Bridge.  Ranger at Longmire gate was asking for drivers to show they had chains.  Repeated Dec 19th tour of the Mazama back bowls.   More snow today, but wetter and heavier.   Three other groups today in the back bowl (vs none on Friday)  One skier did a ski cut on a steeper NE aspect of the bowl and released some of the new storm slab.   There was also a small crown (< 6 inches) of the new snow on a steep east facing pitch.  We skied the lower angle slopes of the back bowl and down to 4th crossing without anything reacting.   We were back to the car @3:00 -- just as the precip changed from wet snow to rain.  4-5 inches of snow on top of car.  Too foggy for pics.