Observation type - Snowpack
Observer - Allen Gernet
Keep me anonymous if published - no
Location (general area) - Mt. San Gorgonio Wilderness
Date (yyyymmdd) - 20150103
Time - All day
Road conditions to area - clear
Temperature - around freezing
Sky - clear (no clouds)
Wind speed - Calm (smoke rises vertically)
Wind direction - not observed
Slope aspect - not observed
Precipitation - None
Activity, recent avalanches - yes
Brief description - Loose slides observed on West slope of San Gorgonio 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, collapsing - no
Rapid warming - no
Comment
Skinned from car Jan. 2, 2015 starting at the fire road by Jenks lake area to Dollar Lake/ Dry lake trailsplit. Coverage thin at road but improved with elevation. 
North aspects were best.
Jan. 3rd - Snow quite variable some loading on S aspects but also wind scouring
N aspects some loading in sheltered areas
Sun exposed southerly area much melt out
Snow depths were from a few inches around 7,000'/ 2,133m and lower to 18"/ to 36" on W/SW/ NW aspects around 9,000/ 2,793m to 10,000'/ 3,048m 
Westerly slope around 9,800'/ 2,987m had extreme variations from wind crust and melt freeze crust 1" / 2.5cm to 2"/ 5cm thick on top of faceted grains and right next to light soft low density snow in small pockets of shelter from the new years eve storm. 
There was no base under this easily sinking to ground and obstacles even in 2'/ 60cm + snow Ski pen varied from 2"/ 5cm to 10"/ 25cm depending on elevation and aspect.
Loose point release slides were observed in the gullies on the west aspect of Mt. San Gorgonio.
Loose faceted grains were observed in almost all areas of the snowpack just a few inches below the surface or in the base of the thicker snow packs.

Loose slides W slope of San G

Wind effects at Dollar Saddle