Sawatch

The slopes where you could still trigger avalanches are steep, layered with wind-drifted snow, and face north to east to southeast. The drifted snow will have a smooth or rounded appearance. You can find it just off ridgelines or below overhanging cornices.

Warm daytime temperatures mean moist or wet surface snow at lower elevations. Sinking through wet, soggy surface snow or seeing rollerballs are signs to steer clear of steep slopes. You may get the snow to slide off the colder underlying snow. Loose avalanches could gouge deep and entrain lots of snow. That could be dangerous if you get swept into a narrow gully or the change in slope angle along the edge of a trail.