Grand Mesa

Start and finish your day early. Most slopes are safe if a solid freeze creates a firm crust. You should test this by stepping onto the snow in boots to assess how well frozen the snow is. Avoid traveling on steep slopes if you sink into wet snow deeper than your ankles. Move to shadier slopes or head back to the trailhead. 

Afternoon thunderstorms storms can produce rain in isolated areas. Carefully plan your day to account for returning to the trailhead once the snow has softened.

Cornices guard many northerly and easterly slopes. Avoid being on or under these giant chunks of ice! Over the past week, cornices falling onto steep slopes resulted in a few large avalanches.