Grand Mesa

Most slopes are generally safe. Steer around very steep slopes if you find a layer of very hard snow on them. Those are old layers of wind-drifted snow.

Warm daytime temperatures mean moist or wet surface snow at lower elevations. Sinking through wet, soggy surface snow or seeing rollerballs are signs to steer clear of steep slopes. You may get the snow to slide off the colder underlying snow. Loose avalanches could gouge deep and entrain lots of snow. That could be dangerous if you get swept into a narrow gully or the change in slope angle along the edge of a trail.