Northern San Juan

Days of warm temperatures followed by a solid overnight freeze reduce the potential for wet avalanches and make it more difficult to trigger an avalanche that breaks deep within the snowpack. Many slopes are safe from avalanches due to a shallow and weak snowpack. The most dangerous areas are wind-drifted slopes at upper elevations where you could find cohesive snow over weak snow. If you experience cracking or collapsing in the snow surface as you travel through the mountains, seek out lower-angled terrain.