Surprise ECTPs above Horse Meadow

We went for a morning ride at Horse Meadow, near Freel Peak. We arrived shortly after sunrise and saw thin clouds near summits and ridgetops that "burned off" after the sun came out. These left a frost on trees at elevation, and surface hoar on the snow at elevation. While riding on shaded and wind sheltered aspects near 9000ft, we noticed a lack of crust under the recent snow, so I stopped to investigate and found facets instead of a crust. Between two different locations, I had three ECTs that indicated propagation. The recent snow still has not settled much in this area and was not very slab-like, but as settlement continues (slab formation), snow is deposited by winds, and/or new snow falls, this faceted layer will be worth monitoring. No other signs of instability were observed today. A light breeze from the north was observed, with previous but no current wind transport. We left before temperatures warmed.

Pic 1: After noticing a lack of crust at the recent old/new interface, I dug and found facets instead of a crust (note the pine needles at this interface). I performed a Compression Test and got Sudden Planar results, so I also did an ECT, which propagated. I moved elsewhere and got two more propagating ECTs.

Pic 2: Nearing ridgetop, the trees had a recent frost on them and the snow surface had small surface hoar.

Pic 3: At a ~9700ft ridgetop, evidence of recent N winds, with surface hoar on top of the wind textured snow, indicating a recent period with minimal winds.

Video: Third propagating ECT. A similar snowpack structure was observed on steep, shaded slopes from 8700ft-9700ft.