Weak overnight refreeze near Scout Peak.

     We toured along the Scout peak ridgeline today. On the drive up @ 0830 I noticed active melting occurring along the east facing cliffs on the side of the road as temps were well above freezing and solar radiation was at its maximum at this point. Getting up to elevation and walking along the ridge @ 8900' around 1000 the snow was soft on all aspects. Boot pen was anywhere from 1/2" to 6" depending on the solar input. I stopped and dug a hasty pit on a NW aspect to see the thickness of last night's freeze and at best there was a 2-4cm layer of frozen snow at the surface. Grains within this layer were large clustered grains that were weak and broke apart easily. At the summit there was Moderate SW-W winds with occasional strong gusts. On north facing aspects transitional snow existed as there was lingering patches of snow from last storm event on Monday/Tuesday. This snow was variable with patches of powder and firm melt freeze surfaces mixed in below treeline. There was no wet loose activity on these shaded aspects by 1100; however, solar aspects warmed up and the snow got more punchy and boot pen increased. Some small wet loose activity from ski turns would build up and break apart by noon. Looking across valley at Talking Mountain and Ralston there was some old reminence of wet loose activity along the ridge but nothing from today. No other signs of unstable snow was observed along the way.