19 Jan 03, 08:00 - 13:30, Snowy Range.  Skied up Sally Creek to the south fork
of Sally Creek, then south to Bear Lake.  Returned by skiing down Libby Creek
to the upper branch of Libby Creek Trail.  Snowpack was still shallow, averaging
less than 3 feet.  Skiers who plan to bushwhack in timber should count on 
negotiating deadfall.

Dug a snowpit in a drift near Bear Lake.

Location:  Zone 13 395694E 4576064N (NAD27)
Aspect:  SE
Slope:  < 10 degrees

0  cm   --------- Surface -----------------------------

        Windpacked slab; hardness = Fist

36 cm   --------- Easy shovel shear -------------------

        consolidated layer; hardness = 2 fingers

64 cm   -----------------------------------------------

        consolidated layer; hardness = pen

 cm   --------- Ground (lake ice) --------------------

A Rutschblock test caused the windpacked slab to slide as a unit on the
first jump.

Interpretation:  Although this pit didn't reveal depth hoar, we encountered
plenty of loose, sugary, faceted snow elsewhere in the backcountry.  The
presence of windpacked slab in this pit was representative of conditions
elsewhere.  Backcountry users are still likely to encounter sliding layers
and weak layers in most snow-covered terrain.

At 8:00 there were 12 vehicles parked along Rte 130, and there was 1 vehicle
in the Green Rock parking area.  (Later in the day there were many more
vehicles along the highway.)