Similar to Pikes Peak, the last major snowfall for the Sangre De Cristo Range was December 8. Followed by a possible few inches over the holiday storm. I did not find evidence of holiday snow in the Sangre De Cristo Range. Since then, the snowpack has remained shallow and faceted throughout. The 2-6 inches that fell overnight, throughout the range, did not make much difference. However, it made traveling uphill less noisy. The near treeline elevation band has more continuous snow cover, with lesser amounts above and below treeline. Anticipate avalanche danger to rise, once a cohesive slab of snow builds over top of this weak structure. There is more snow arriving later this week.

South Colony Lakes Basin

I traveled up South Colony Lakes Road into the near treeline band and returned along the same route.

The snow depth near treeline, in the South Colony Basin, averaged 2-2.50 ft(60-80cm). Shaded and sheltered aspects hold the most snow. Snow depth varied more below treeline and above treeline, due to warm temperatures below treeline, along with the sun, and persistent wind over the alpine. The snowpack is weaker(F-) near the surface and gets progressively stronger(P) towards the ground. Snowpack test results were unsubstantial. Typical of a weak but right-side-up snowpack.

Very cold(-8 to +17ºf) through most of the morning, with clear skies and calm winds increasing out of the west enough to start to knock new snow out of trees.