Sangre de Cristo

You could trigger an avalanche where 8 inches or more of new snow form a cohesive slab over weak snow below. The most dangerous slopes are near treeline, where winds drifted new snow into thicker and stiffer slabs. Above treeline, snow cover is patchy and discontinuous due to strong winds, confining the avalanche hazard to cross-loaded and concave terrain. Cracking and collapsing in the recent snow are signs of an unstable slope and a good indicator to move to slopes less than about 35 degrees steep. You can find safer and more enjoyable travel on wind-sheltered slopes.