Observation type
Snowpack

Observer
Philipp Arndt

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
San Jacinto Peak, SE face

Latitude
33.813000

Longitude
-116.676000

Date (yyyymmdd)
20250315

Time
11:30

Road conditions to area
Tramway, clear

Temperature
~2 C

Sky
clear (no clouds)

Wind speed
Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)

Wind direction
not observed

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
South East

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle
30

Elevation
10200ft

Snow depth
200cm

Boot/ Ski penetration

Precipitation
None

Brief description

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no

Rapid warming
yes

Obvious avalanche path
no

Terrain trap
no

Comment
We skied San Jacinto Peak from the tramway. It was already near melting temps when we went up on the second (8.15am) tram, and temps kept increasing quickly. Main concerns were low-tide conditions combined with heavy but variable snowpack. 

Only dug a hasty pit since no major signs of instability but rapid warming. 
- ECTX 13 on weak graupel layer likely from previous day + wind transport. 3-4 inches from surface 
- ECTN 24 on weak layer from previous week's storm, about a foot down (weak layer was partially a manzanita bush so take that with a grain of salt...)

The top layer on the graupel seemed to be recent wind deposits and only be present in smaller pockets. Most of this will likely change with the even hotter forecasted temps tomorrow.

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

The pit.Lower 160cm in bushes

Weak graupel layer near the surface