Grand Mesa

Most slopes are safe from avalanches. The few slopes you might be able to trigger a small avalanche are on very steep slopes in the afternoon, once the snow surface gets wet and loses cohesion, or where you find dry, wind-drifted snow well above treeline. To reduce your chances of being caught in an avalanche, start and end your day early and avoid hollow, wind-drifted snow above steep, consequential terrain. You also want to give cornices a wide berth and avoid hanging out underneath them.