On Saturday, Feb. 22, four snowmobilers were caught in an avalanche west of Grand Lake on Gravel Mountain. Two of the snowmobilers were partially buried but were able to self-rescue without injury, according to a report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

The avalanche center stated that the slide was a persistent-slab avalanche, and was large enough to injure or kill a person. According to the report, a number of snowmobilers were climbing the hill and jumping off the cornice at the top of Gravel Mountain before the avalanche was triggered.

Gravel Mountain is a popular spot for snowmobilers because of the views from the top of the mountain as well as its access from the Grand Lake trail system.

According to a news release from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, the people caught self-rescued or were assisted by bystanders and sustained no injuries.

Details of the slide

The information center report states that three groups of snowmobilers were at Gravel Mountain at the time of the slide.

The first group of four snowmobilers was riding up to the top of the cornice, group two was riding on a slope to the north, and group three watched from the bottom, the report states.

When all four snowmobilers from group one crested the cornice, the avalanche broke.

“The snow under their machines fell away, and three of the riders fell over the edge as the cornice broke and the slope below avalanched,” the report states. “One of the riders in Group 1 was caught in the flowing avalanche debris and pulled his avalanche airbag. When the debris came to a stop, he was partially buried with his head above the snow.”

The other two riders in that group managed to self-rescue from below the cornice as their snowmobiles tumbled downhill in the avalanche. Those in group three snowmobiled away from the oncoming debris.

However, one person from group two “jumped off the cornice, likely not seeing the avalanche on the slope below,” the report continues. “He inadvertently rode into the flowing debris.” 

He was partially buried, but his head was above the snow. Fortunately, everyone got out of the debris, the report concludes.

Grand County Search and Rescue posted on Facebook that 24 of its volunteers responded to the incident, along with sheriff’s office personnel.

The sheriff’s office stated that it “encourages anyone recreating in our backcountry to always carry the essential equipment and follow the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.”

Recreators can visit Avalanche.State.Co.Us for the daily avalanche forecast. February is historically the deadliest month for avalanches in Colorado, according to the information center.

Avalanche danger is rated considerable in Grand County through Tuesday, Feb. 25.