Sangre de Cristo

Most slopes are generally safe from avalanches. If you were to trigger an avalanche, it would be on steep, northerly-facing slopes above treeline where wind-drifted snow sits above shallow weak snow layers or a firm sliding surface. Evaluate the consequences of triggering an isolated, smaller avalanche in more complex terrain, and choose slopes with clean runouts in case your caught off-guard. If you see cracking in drifted snow, go around that area to help reduce your avalanche risk.

Warming temperatures and ample sunshine will slowly increase the wet avalanche hazard over the next few days. Avoid traveling on or below steep southerly-facing slopes with evidence of warming in the form of rollerballs, pinwheels, and wet gloppy snow. If you plan to venture into the backcountry, start early and end early.