Variable snow depth and surface hoar in Little Bear
We drove and then rode up Little Bear this morning on the 3138 road (also snowmobile route #900). Once 3138 splits off from 980 there was mostly enough snow for riding on the road without issues but little else. Snow depth varied from 4-6 inches, down to 2-3 inches in sun and wind exposed areas, to as much as 18 inches or so higher up (8400'). We also saw some spectacular surface hoar- probably 1-2" tall in places with extremely sugary snow underneath; often so sugary we weren't leaving well defined tracks behind our sleds. As with everywhere else, we heard some collapses while off of our machines.