Sangre de Cristo

You could trigger an avalanche where winds have drifted snow into cohesive slabs at upper elevations. The most dangerous slopes are above treeline and face north to northeast through east. Here, winds have drifted snow into deeper slabs sitting above weaker snow.

Look for and avoid wind-drifted snow that looks lens-shaped or has a pillowy appearance. You can find areas of drifted snow below ridgelines and on the sides of gullies. Cracking or collapsing in drifted snow indicates an unstable slope and is a sign to move to lower-angled slopes sheltered from the wind.