Conditions on Muir Snowfield?

I am pretty new to AT skiing and was hoping to get out tomorrow. What kind of snow would I expect from Muir to Paradise after this much cold sunny weather? Would it be safe? Fun? Hazardous? A beating?

Thoughts please?

Snow will probably be somewhere between very firm and blue ice -- I'd guess bulletproof but edgeable. Real steel crampons can make a very slippery skin/hike effortless and much safer. Note that there's a little weather coming in tomorrow night. Wind forecast looks mellow, but it'll be cold and possibly a whiteout. Start early for sun (sunrise is superlative, if the road's open), views, and daylight on short days. Bring a friend...

Thanks for that info. That is what I suspected. I don't have crampons yet so I think I'll sit this one out and head for a long brisk morning run instead. I only get one kitchen pass a month so I was hoping for better conditions to accommodate this weather! Oh, well. I'm sure January will present a good opportunity.

I didn't mean to dissuade you entirely - I like to bring 'em to make life easier and to guarantee retreat. Sometimes it's bulletproof, sometimes its not....  You can usually find patches of good snow, some of which are rather lengthy. If you get 1000' above Pan Point and the Snowfield is obviously a skating rink, you might find some softer snow lurking in the Tatoosh.

If I had to choose between a morning run or winter daybreak on a glaciated stratovolcano for my one December outing, lousy snow or not, I'd have my pack packed, skis ready to go, and boot liners lined up beside the bed. If you can hold off 'till midweek, the forecast is looking snowy.

Enjoy the day, no matter what you choose! .

Not sure if you're aware, but this report may give you some insight into the state of the snowfield - similar aspect, slope, and location.