Avalanche Risk Increases in Parts Of Bridger Range In Montana

Officials with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center say a weekend storm and falling temperatures have increased the avalanche danger on some slopes of the Bridger Range.

Avalanche danger is considerable on wind-loaded slopes and slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Other slopes in the region have a moderate avalanche danger.

Erik Knoff with the center said in a press release that the Madison and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and the mountains around Cooke City didn’t get as much snow and so the avalanche danger in those regions remains unchanged at a moderate risk level.

Steve Karkanen with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center says the region’s backcountry terrain has a moderate avalanche danger above 7000 feet on wind-loaded slopes and a low avalanche danger elsewhere.