Sangre de Cristo

You might trigger a slab avalanche that breaks in weaker snow layers near the ground on north to east-facing slopes at upper elevations. You are more likely to impact buried weak snow layers where the snowpack is thin near exposed rocks, from the backside of steep rollovers, or margins of the slab. Avalanches triggered from a wind-drifted area have the potential to grow larger in size. Deeper drifts are identified by a smooth, rounded appearance and form below ridgelines and on side walls of gullies. If you see cracking in the snow surface or hear audible collapses or travel where the snow surface feels hard underfoot, stick to wind-sheltered areas or slopes around 30 degrees in steepness.