Grand Mesa

You can trigger an avalanche on steep slopes where you find more than about a foot of wind-drifted snow. These dangerous wind drifts are most common just below ridgelines and around rock outcrops at upper elevations. Most of these avalanches will be small, but they can easily knock you down and drag you down a slope, so watch out for terrain traps such as a cliff or creek below you. If you notice a hard, hollow feeling to the snow or see cracking in the snow around you, avoid traveling on nearby slopes steeper than about 35 degrees.