Grand Mesa

You can trigger an avalanche from a distance and from below, so give steep slopes extra space below for potential runout. Obvious signs of instability, such as cracking and collapsing in the snowpack, have diminished, but you can trigger a large-deep avalanche with little warning. Avoid trigger points like trees and exposed rocks where weak layers are easier to collapse. Although it is LOW below the treeline, you could still trigger an avalanche if you find a firm slab resting over weaker snow. You are most likely to find these areas in wide-open glades with rounded pillows of wind-affected snow.

You can find safer travel on terrain less than about 30 degrees that does not connect to steeper slopes and in areas without a buried weak layer.