Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

Avalanche danger high in backcountry

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Created on Friday, 27 May 2011 00:14

Written by Dena Rosenberry

The opening of Independence Pass and other roads in Colorado's high country have prompted the Colorado Avalanche Information Center to stress skier and boarder safety.

Likelihood of avalanches, particularly wet slab avalanches, is high - especially in the afternoons, reminds Curtis Wackerle in the Aspen Daily News.

The lines of Gulch, Mountain Boy and Little Boy on the east side of Independence Pass and Hunter, West Roaring Fork and Waterhole 1 on the west side of Independence Pass are of greatest concern, according to a Wednesday CAIC forecast.
 

Motorists and cyclists also must be aware of avalanche danger.  A slide from the Gulch line hit a car in 1995, according to CAIC.  (That's the roadway, above, on the east side of Independence Pass earlier this month.)

The Colorado Department of  Transportation and CAIC will be monitoring avalanche conditions.