Sonora Pass

[enlosandes]

Coverage is noticeably better than the past couple year's opening day

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[enlosandes]

Any idea if you can cross the creek at the big switchback west of the summit?

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yes

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[rod9301]

Thanks

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[~mikey b]

update from our man in the field Bob



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I skied the crest from Sonora Pass. 6" slop on top of firm below 10k, 6" heavy cement on top of firm above 10k. Basically better than I expected considering the warm temps and recent dumps. Decent coverage. The snow bridge at the curve 3 miles west of pass is there but may not be in a week or so; but the creek looks low enough to be hoppable anyway. Y couloir looks like it goes fine, if you don't mind doing it on probably grabby snow. You can go ahead and pass that along to TRG, because I don't seem to have internet service here.

[GKWood]

Thanks for sharing Mikey. About as I'd expected I suppose.

[bobz]

I found internet service; Bridgeport is really coming up in the world.

Here’s Leavitt:

[LegoSkier]

Further recon from today.

The lower slopes from the hairpin @9k. Snowbridge over the creek in the foreground. The thing to do seemed to be traverse right then head up the chute.


Several parties were going up deadman chute. Too much potential hangfire for my solo (and tired out) self.


Which left the bowl to the right above Blue Lake all to myself.


No Name from the top of the pass.


The stuff above Sardine Falls. It looks like snow goes either around the falls or as a car shuttle from No Name but probably not for long. Sardine meadow mostly melted out.

[~mikey b]

fkna bud

[Tamburello Rouge]

So I'm supposed to be leading a group of Boy Scouts for a three day backpacking trip on the PCT. The trip is on Memorial Day weekend (the one that's in two weeks from now). The plan was to get dropped off at Ebbett's Pass on Highway 4 Saturday morning and hike north. We would then get picked up on Carson Pass on Highway 88 Monday afternoon. Based on the above pictures (and some other recon I've been doing) it looks like I might have to reschedule or relocate.

[~mikey b]

yes

[bobz]

There are dry bits all over the place; I saw a hundred yards of dry PCT at 11K. But where there’s snow, and general snow line around there won’t be much above 9000’, you’re looking at some softer than average Spring post-holing.

[davjr96]

Fun morning. Was firmish early but softened very quick. As mentioned above the snow bridge is in but may not be for long.

[Mokomahonah]

Snow in the Y was indeed not great.
South and West facing new snow has mostly melted since Bobz's picture on Friday.
Skinning up the bowl around 11, it felt like about 3" of hot pow. I counted 21 tracks out the bowl/couloir with 13 out of the Y, 2 more skied it while we were climbing. I figured the more skied out Y would ski better. I was not correct. Lady friend skiied the bowl and was delighted with it. The snow on the flats was variable and sticky in spots. Maybe would have gone earlier but forgot crampons at home . Got to the bottom and a nice dude on a Sunday drive offered to shuttle us up the hill as soon as we took out packs off!
All in all a fun ski 10/10 would go again.

[bobz]

Hey Moko, we may have met on the ridge.

Remember what I said about the snow bridge being intact, and that the creek would be hoppable otherwise? Yeah, creek is flowing much stronger now, so there will be no hopping to be had once the snow bridge goes.

I had a good tour, went up to the top of Leavitt, then followed the ridge west and dropped into Deadman and then cut sideways into the Blue Lake canyon before cruising on back to the car. That place needs a nighttime freeze bad; the NE slope into Deadman was deep slop at like 11 or so.

Here's a closer look at the Y:

[mc9774]

[Mokomahonah]

Yeah just before walking down thru the scree towards the lake? Fun times.

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[frorider]

So weird, thought I posted in this thread last night but I guess I had two pages open simultaneously. Anyway leavitt was good yesterday, other than not-smooth surface in the Y. Consolidated snowpack and decent corn to the car. Snow bridge still holding at the hiway.

[emcee]

it's looking like freezes are back on the menu for a bit

[frorider]

Heard snow bridge is getting sketchy.

[CaliKid]

Heard snow bridge is getting sketchy.

Definitely. Was doable today but doubt it lasts much longer.


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[trueevan]

yeah, it does
the snow is back

[spaulding24]

Skied the Y today. Dropped in the main chute at 1ish while the wifey (pictured) dropped the lookers-left chute. Snow was nice up top. Funky blend of lumps, rockfall, and rot through the choke.

As for the hot topic snowbridge... I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't last the night. It was pretty sporty coming back over at about 2. A big piece broke away right under my boots and the lunge off the rock onto the snow steps takes some gusto. Another crew waded the creek about 30 yards below us and it looked like the right call for the afternoon

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[~mikey b]

any of you beaters seen if the LL road gate is open?

[~mikey b]

It’s open

[~mikey b]

from the Bridgeport Avalanche Center…


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4.21.23 - The season is winding down here at the Bridgeport Avalanche Center...

-Our last forecast will be this Saturday the 22nd.
-The BWRA will close to motorized use Sunday, April 30th, in accordance with BWRA management plan.
-CalTrans will begin clearing HWY 108, be mindful of their heavy equipment and park respectfully in order for them to continue clearing the road.

A special thanks to all those who have helped support the Bridgeport Avalanche Center by volunteering their time, submitting an observation or a financial donation.