Northern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche where you find recently wind-drifted snow forming a slab over old weak snow on steep slopes at upper elevations. The most dangerous areas are steep, rocky terrain and cross-loaded gullies that face north to east in the alpine. Variable winds sculpted the snow surface, making it easy to spot and avoid the stiff drifts by looking for pillowy or textured snow surfaces.

Safer travel can be found at lower elevations and in wind-sheltered terrain.