Field Report
Sawatch - CO
Report Information
Better overnight freeze than expected above treeline, largely due to the wind on windward-facing slopes. Wind-sheltered slopes broke down quickly and were becoming wet and unsupportable by around 10:00 A.M. There were generally safe avalanche conditions before this time, and after about 10:00 or so, we were careful not to venture onto any slopes steeper than about 40 degrees.
Savage Peak
Savage Lakes trailhead up southerly slopes to Savage Peak, descending the north side of Savage Peak to Missouri Lakes, ascending back up the eastern slopes of Savage Peak, then back to the trailhead.
Avalanches
Observed several small Loose Wet avalanches from the last few days on all aspects above and near treeline.
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Date | # | Elev | Asp | Type | Trig | SizeR | SizeD | Problem Type | Location |
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05/11/2025
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3 | >TL | N | WL | N | R1 | D1.5 | Loose Wet |
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Date and Time
05/11/2025 -
12:00pm
(estimated)
Location
39.384
-106.512
Area Description
Above Missouri Lakes |
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05/10/2025
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5 | >TL | N | WL | N | R1 | D1.5 | Loose Wet |
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Date and Time
05/10/2025 -
12:00pm
(estimated)
Location
39.356
-106.52
Area Description
Above Savage Lakes |
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05/11/2025
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1 | >TL | SE | C | N | R1 | D1.5 | Cornice Fall |
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Date and Time
05/11/2025 -
12:00pm
(estimated)
Location
39.374
-106.529
Area Description
South side of Savage Peak on a minor cirque feature |
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Snowpack
Minor cracking on east-facing slopes around 10 A.M above treeline, no larger than the length of a ski. The snow was supportable to skis up until about 10:00 A.M. above treeline. Below and near treeline the snow was supportable to skis but not boots with a very poor refreeze below around 11,000 feet.
Weather
Clear morning with the temperatures sitting right at freezing (32F) when we got to the trailhead around 5:30 A.M.