Gunnison

You can trigger an avalanche that can grow large enough to bury you throughout the Ragged and West Elk Mountains. The most dangerous slopes are easterly and southerly slopes near and above the treeline. If you choose to travel on steep slopes on aspects of concern, consider digging or probing to look for a weak layer of snow or a crust buried around two to three feet deep below the snow surface. If you do find a layer of weak snow or a buried crust, consider traveling on a different aspect or sticking to slopes less than around 30 degrees steep for safer travel options.