Calm Conditions and Soft Snow in Johnson Canyon

We went ski touring in Johnson Canyon today.  The weather and snow conditions were perfect, providing a great day in the mountains.  Temperature inversions made for cold near zero temperatures in town with much warmer conditions at the trailhead by mid morning.  Temperatures warmed throughout the day with calm winds.  Snow quality remained very good with soft snow on E aspects throughout the day.  The recent NE winds have scoured snow in near treeline and even into some open below treeline areas down to around 7200' on mostly E facing terrain with some variable wind crusts present.  A couple hand pits moving through terrain revealed the Jan 18 buried surface hoar layer.  No signs of instability were observed today.