Sangre de Cristo

The most dangerous areas are found near and above the treeline where strong winds drifted the new snow into cohesive slabs of snow over weaker snow layers. Avoid traveling on slopes steeper than about 30 degrees beneath ridgelines, cornices, and gullies where you see evidence of drifting such as rounded pillows of snow or where the snow surface is hard and sculpted. Avalanches in the new snow can trigger a more dangerous slide that breaks in weak snow layers near the ground on northerly and east-facing slopes. Assess the snowpack carefully before traveling below bigger, steeper terrain. Safer travel options are found on wind-sheltered slopes lower in the terrain.