Sangre de Cristo

The snow cover is generally shallow and although it is unlikely, you may be able to trigger a small avalanche. The most problematic areas face north through east and are where you find hard, wind-drifted snow above older, weak snow on a steep slope. Look for and avoid bulbous pillows of snow on the lee side of ridges, the sides of gullies, or downhill of steep convex rollovers. Consider the consequences of a small avalanche; when combined with terrain traps such as cliffs, rocks, dense trees, or gullies a small avalanche can become a bigger problem.