Sawatch

Moderate winds have drifted recent snow on over buried weak layers. You can trigger a small avalanche in this newly drifted snow that might step down into deeper buried weak layers becoming a much larger and possibly deadly avalanche. The most dangerous slopes face easterly and southerly but small drifts may be present on other slopes. Avoid wind-loaded slopes, often found on the lee sides of a ridgeline near the top of a slope or where the snow surface has a wave-like, rounded appearance and a hard, hollow feel when traveling across it. Safer travel options exist on wind-sheltered terrain below treeline.