Southern San Juan

You can trigger a large and dangerous avalanche where recent snow overburdens weak layers in the upper snowpack. Avalanches will be larger where winds have built fresh slabs of snow two to three feet deep over softer collapsable layers on west to north to east aspects near and above treeline. Avalanches on wind-loaded slopes can be impacted from a distance and may break wider than expected, crossing terrain features.

You can find safer travel options on wind sheltered slopes at lower elevations and by sticking to slopes less than about 30 degrees without steep slopes overhead.