Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Chris Dickson · Oct 30, 2025 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Blue skies, calm winds, and temperatures rising into the 50s.

Snowpack

Near and below treeline, the snowpack is thin, patchy, faceted, and limited to only shady areas. Above treeline, snow still lurks in couloirs and gullies on east to west aspects, but is most widespread on north-facing slopes. Most sunny slopes, at all elevations, are dry. The snow at lower elevations is comprised of melt forms and crusts, but above 11,000 feet in elevation, the snow is completely faceted and transitioning towards depth hoar, especially in cold, sheltered areas. I also observed surface hoar in open sheltered meadows.

Avalanche

Several small and old loose avalanches out of steep north-facing cliffy terrain.