Northern San Juan

You may be able to trigger small avalanches in recently wind-drifted snow on steep slopes above treeline. North and easterly-facing slopes below ridgelines and in cross-loaded terrain features harbor the deepest drifts. Cracking in the snow surface is an indication of an unstable slope. Avalanches will likely be small but can be dangerous if triggered above rocks and cliffs. Slopes protected from the wind offer safer and more enjoyable backcountry travel.

Your chances of triggering loose avalanches increase on slopes where the snowpack continues to deteriorate. The most likely place to find this issue is steep, northerly near and below treeline slopes with shallow, fully cohesionless coverage.