Sangre de Cristo

You can trigger an avalanche where you find firm snow resting above weak sugary snow. Rounded pillows of snow indicate where winds may have drifted these firm pillows and should be avoided. You may find drifted snow in unusual places with easterly winds. You are most likely to find unstable snow in gullies and below ridgelines. Be suspicious of slopes where you do not see the underlying texture of rocks or tress. You may experience cracking or collapsing in the snow, which is an indicator to head to areas sheltered from the wind. You can find safer travel on slopes less than about 30 degrees steep.