The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) has issued an Avalanche Watch for the Park Range and Elkhead Mountains:
“An Avalanche Watch is in effect for the Park Range and Elkhead Mountains.
Expect very dangerous avalanche conditions to develop Tuesday evening and continue Wednesday as a potent storm impacts the mountains.
Heavy snow and strong winds will result in very dangerous avalanche conditions and a HIGH (Level 4 of 5) avalanche danger by Tuesday night.”
The CAIC currently lists the region as a Level 3 on the Avalanche Danger Scale, but anticipates that it rise to a Level 4 by Wednesday, November 22nd.
With that said, the CAIC is stressing how easy it will be to trigger an avalanche today, February 21st:
“For Tuesday, you can trigger an avalanche in freshly-drifted snow at all elevations.
The new snow and strong westerly winds will continue to deposit snow directly below ridgelines, in gullies, and around terrain and vegetation breaks, creating dangerous avalanche conditions.
Look for and avoid smooth lens-shaped pillows of snow that feel dense underneath you. Shooting cracks within the new snow are obvious signs of instabilities and signs you should seek wind-sheltered slopes for safer travel options.”
Recreating in the backcountry today and tomorrow in the Park Range and Elkhead Mountains is not advisable.
Stay safe, and wait for the snowpack to settle.
You can read more information from the CAIC here.