Sangre de Cristo

Use caution on near and above treeline slopes where you find around 10 inches of new snow above weaker snow layers. Strong easterly winds during the last storm drifted the new snow into thick slabs on atypical, westerly-facing slopes. Avalanches on wind-loaded slopes can break wider than you anticipate, and step down into weak snow layers near the ground on northerly and east-facing slopes. Avoid areas below ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies with a rounded snow surface or where the snow feels hard underfoot. Choose an alternative route on lower-angle slopes if you see cracking in the snow or hear rumbling collapses.