Sangre de Cristo

You could trigger an avalanche in freshly drifted snow on steep slopes. Areas of drifted snow often look smooth and rounded. Avoid steep slopes where you observe 8 inches of drifted snow. Cracking in the snow surface or avalanches on similar slopes are obvious signs of instability and a good indication of areas to avoid.

You can find safer travel on slopes less than 35 degrees, and areas protected from the wind.