Gunnison

Look for areas of wind-drifted snow above treeline. Drifts may be in abnormal spots like westerly-facing slopes and the sides of gullies and couloirs. Stick to lower-angle slopes if you find more than about 8 inches of new or recently wind-drifted snow. Avoid steep areas above terrain traps where even a small avalanche can have bad consequences. Drifts may extend into the near treeline elevation band in some spots.

It may rain below 10,500 feet, so expect a fully saturated snowpack in lower-elevation areas that still hold snow. If you sink deeply in wet unconsolidated snow, you should avoid steep slopes.