Conditions Report - Herlan Peak

Out for a quick jaunt today in an area that has been void of snow most of the season. Departed from the trailhead at 10:55 under scattered clouds, no noticeable wind, and temepratures in the mid to upper 20s. We found between 20-30cm of snow at the trailhead, enough to zig-zag our way through manzanita and into the forest. At 11:50 we reached 8000', skys were still SCT with no noticable wind. On our NW slope, we consistentanly probed 100-150cm of snow on the ground, seemingly all snow from recent storms. At 12:15 (8600' NW) HS had increased to 150-185cm with a crust/facet combo spiratically felt upon probing. 12:30 brought us to the summit of Herlan Peak. Conditions on top were SCT clouds, Light East winds, and temperatures in the low to mid 20's. Dropping into the top of the Bearclaw Chute at 13:30 we observed small loose wet activity (10-20' run) on SW aspects triggered by snow falling off of surrounding cliffs. Adequate coverage in the Bearclaw until 7200'. On more southlery aspects in the chute, surface snow was beginning to wet. No instabilities observed other than previously noted small wet loose. Moderatly hilarious travel traversing from 7000' in the Bearclaw back to the car at 14:00.