Crusty snow but soft underneath, especially underneath trees and around boulders. Crossing the first main boulder field seemed unsafe, particularly with evidence of loose wet avalanches on Rampart Ridge coupled with the anticipated 35--40F temperatures for the day (even getting across, it may have been less safe on the way back 2hr later).
I explored the forest up the ridge a ways. Lots of large snow drifts, softer surface in the forest, and evidence of surface snow cracking in places (gearing up for lower elevation snow slides).
Additional exercise walking around Gold Creek Lake, where there were several hundred people. Having never been there before, I got trapped on the isthmus between the lake and the south stream, and had to double back and find the south bridge. :}
Started early with a headlamp.
6.4mi 450m ascent, max 100m/km.
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