Sangre de Cristo

You might trigger an avalanche in wind-drifted snow on slopes that face north, northeast, and east at upper elevations. An avalanche triggered near the surface could step down into weaker snow near the ground. Avoid common trigger spots near exposed rocks, on steep rollovers, and below cliffs where the snowpack is thinner and you are more likely to impact weaker snow below. Avoid places where you see evidence of drifting like lens-shaped pillows or where the snow feels hard underfoot. If you see cracking in the snow or hear rumbling collapses, stick to wind-sheltered areas around 30 degrees in steepness or lower-elevations slopes for safer options.