Northern San Juan

You can trigger an avalanche on steep slopes near and above treeline. The most dangerous slopes will be where winds drifted recent snow into stiff slabs. Wind-drifted snow often has a pillowy appearance and feels stiff as you travel. Avoid common trigger points, such as convex rollovers, rocky outcrops, or the edges of slopes where the margins of a slab are the thinnest. Watch for shooting cracks around you as an indication to stay on lower-angle slopes.

As the temperatures warm on Friday, watch for small, Loose Wet avalanches at lower elevations on steep slopes, especially near rock outcroppings.