Grand Mesa

You can easily trigger an avalanche that breaks on a weak layer underneath the new snow. The most dangerous slopes face northwest through north to east and upper elevations, generally above 10,500 feet. Be careful if you find wind-drifted snow, mostly on slopes facing the northeast half of the compass. The easiest way to avoid being caught in an avalanche is to avoid traveling on or under large, steep slopes facing northwest through north to east and identify and avoid any steep wind-drifted slopes on the lee sides of ridgelines.