Road Conditions: Some snow and ruts exist on the upper portion of the road. Dirt and mud below.

Grooming: Matt from LUNA groomed on Saturday.

Storm totals at Gold Basin Study Plot (10,000').

Snotel site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600').

NWS weather forecast.

Weather: Look for mostly sunny skies this morning with increasing clouds later today. Southerly winds will continue to blow in the 15-20 mph range with gusts into the 30's. High temps will rise up into the low 40's. Dry and breezy conditions continue through tomorrow followed by the next Pacific low-pressure system that will begin tracking across the desert southwest on Wednesday.

Snowpack: I went up yesterday to have a look at Sunday's skier triggered avalanche. On my way in I experienced a few collapses in shallow areas where a new slab has formed over an existing structure that is comprised almost entirely of weak, sugary, faceted snow. The avalanche initiated as a wind slab failing at the old snow surface but it gouged and propagated into facets along the slope margins. The snowpack is variable and complex out there right now. Fresh drifts formed on leeward slopes overly surfaces ranging from hard, smooth and relatively strong to loose and weak. Windward slopes are mostly scoured and exposed surfaces are firm. Travis Nauman and company were also out yesterday where they observed a poor snowpack structure on a mid-elevation, westerly aspect. Read their observation here.

The new snow has improved things and decent turning conditions can be found on sheltered, northerly facing terrain. Brief periods of sun yesterday afternoon touched some exposed slopes and they will likely be crusted over today.