Sangre de Cristo

New snow could rapidly change conditions later on Wednesday and into Thursday, with avalanche danger increasing throughout each day on snow-covered slopes that have received more than a foot of new snow.

The most dangerous slopes exist at upper elevations, where you find wind-drifted snow forming a slab over previously drifted or faceted snow on north through northeast-facing slopes. Avoid areas of deeper snow on steep slopes. These will be the spots that are smooth and white, instead of rocky or brushy. Even a small avalanche can be dangerous if it sweeps you over early-season hazards, like logs and rocks.