While ascending through thick brush to 5,000 feet, we observed 35" of new snow that was collapsing around vegetation. It did not appear to be overlying any older snow or weak layers. No avalanche activity could be seen with binoculars from the road as we left area and the sky cleared.
Parked along road due to snow level and skinned. Started at Strawberry Lake Trailhead skinning toward the ridge off the trail throught dense vegetation. Never made the ridge and turned around.
