Grand Mesa

Most slopes are safe from avalanches. If you are traveling in the backcountry, you will likely encounter a shallow, weak snowpack that lacks cohesion on almost all slopes. The few places you might be able to trigger a small avalanche are on wind-drifted snow just below ridgelines. If you notice a cornice above a slope or the snow feels hard and hollow, you should avoid traveling on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees.