Grand Mesa

Avalanche conditions are generally safe, but you still need to monitor the snow. Safe travel requires a supportable snowpack with firm underlying crusts. The best test is to stand on the snow in your boots. If you sink into loose, unfrozen snow deeper than your ankles, avoid traveling across steep slopes. Move to shadier, more supportable slopes, or call it a day. Start your day early and end early to reduce your risk of avalanches.

Afternoon thunderstorms storms can produce rain in isolated areas. If you experience heavy rain, especially above treeline, plan a safe exit that avoids steep slopes.

Avoid traveling under large, sagging cornices. Over the past week, cornices falling onto steep slopes resulted in a few large avalanches.