Northern San Juan

Avalanche conditions are generally safe. Use caution on steep, wind-drifted terrain features at upper elevations where you may still be able to trigger a small avalanche. Slopes near ridgelines with more than about six inches of drifted snow are where you are most likely to trigger these small slides. Look for and avoid areas where you see evidence of wind-drifting such as smooth lens-shaped pillows of snow or sculpted surface textures. Even a small avalanche in steep or extreme terrain can knock you off your feet and take you for a dangerous tumble. Watch out for small loose wet avalanches on slopes where the sun is warning more than about six inches of dry snow, and exit steep slopes if you start seeing pinwheels of wet snow on the surface.