Grand Mesa

Snowpack

A shallow early season snowpack in this area. Average depths near the western end of the Grand Mesa were around 50 cm. Snowpack consisted of mostly low density faceted snow grains. In areas sheltered from the wind, no slab was present in the snowpack. Loose snow avalanches were more likely in steep terrain due to the weak faceted snow. Evidence of some previous wind loading near the Mesa top, especially around the steeper northeast facing terrain near Rapid Creek Reservoir. Southerly aspects of the Crag Crest had a patchy snowpack with many areas of bare ground. Where there was snow, depths were 10-20 cm consisting of mostly facets and melt freeze crusts.