2009/10 Snowy Range snow conditions

[rev*baron]

Fresh snow every day last 3 days. A good 8" on Tuesday and still snowing. Awesome riding.

287 from Wy border to Laramie was very slippery with all the wind blowing across the road. White knuckle driving with lots of cars in the ditch last night.

 

[TwinSLDNX]

Sorry Twin, you dont have the highmark on the widowmaker anymore My turbo xp was climbing up to the cornice on the top with ease. Seen some other guys on xp's going about half way up. Need boost to climb that hill in snow that deep.

I climbed over the base of the cornice. AND it looked to me that the top of the cornice was hanging out and over a ways. How did you GO THROUGH the cornice??? ... Or did you go around it? Because i do know that there is no way you can go directly over the cornice on top. AND one more question, did you climb it before or after the 2 ft. of snow around new years. AKA after the 4th. Thanks

 

[togwotee9]

I climbed over the base of the cornice. AND it looked to me that the top of the cornice was hanging out and over a ways. How did you GO THROUGH the cornice??? ... Or did you go around it? Because i do know that there is no way you can go directly over the cornice on top. AND one more question, did you climb it before or after the 2 ft. of snow around new years. AKA after the 4th. Thanks

is this conversation really happening???

 

[newmy1]

Twin, looks like a drift to me. FYI. To get through a cornice you simply ram through it like a jet ski going through titlewave


Talked to you guys with the blue Rev on our way out on Sunday.....nice looking sled. Enjoy the week of riding you lucky dogs.

 

[Cathouse]

I climbed over the base of the cornice. AND it looked to me that the top of the cornice was hanging out and over a ways. How did you GO THROUGH the cornice??? ... Or did you go around it? Because i do know that there is no way you can go directly over the cornice on top. AND one more question, did you climb it before or after the 2 ft. of snow around new years. AKA after the 4th. Thanks

My dad can beat up your dad.

 

[TwinSLDNX]

It's just a question guys. I'm not tryin to get into a pissin match with everyone on here. I just wanted to know if he went straight through the cornice or not because i've never seen anyone go through it.

 

[togwotee9]

Once bread becomes toast, it can never go back to being bread again.

Remember that and all will be good

 

[gspbirdhunt]

me and a buddy are trying to head out for the weekend and was either going to borrow a sled bed pr could hook to the open 4 place if we could find a couple others that like to boondock and play in the trees. I may know some of you already from some of Zeek's trips. My first time posting here. Have fun everyone!

Two for sure leaving NE Iowa early on 14th and riding 15-17. Still have a third debating. Wouldn't join you for the drive but could join you for tree riding. Been a couple years since we rode the Snowies - been going to Tog. Holler if you are looking for a couple boondockers to ride with.

 

[purepolaris600]

hay gspbirdhunt where u from i am from northeast iowa elkader and me and my group of 5 are heading out the 13 to the snowys we are staying at albany parking lot you cant miss us we will have a big semi where r u guys staying

 

[sled n]

5-6 of us heading up from Nebraska on the 14th riding 15 - 16th. Staying in Laramie.

 

[yamaha_junky626]

laramie

how far is it from laramie to an actual riding riding area in the snowys,where are some good places to stay

 

[togwotee9]

30 miles

 

[boatingbent]

Bout 35 miles from Laramie to the Parking lot above Centennial

 

[yamaha_junky626]

snowys

is there normally plenty of room in the parking lot or do you have to try to rush to there in the morning to get a spot

 

[SRXSRULE]

is there normally plenty of room in the parking lot or do you have to try to rush to there in the morning to get a spot

fri/sat/sun it fills up quick. if your not up there by 8-30/9-00 you will be parking along the road.

Once the lot is full you start parking along side the hwy and have to ride along the road (very rough) to the trail head. If you get up there after 10;00 am on saturday with good snow you might be a couple miles from the lot Eric

 

[porkrider]

We rode Mon.-Thurs. and the snow is awesome. Plenty of powder. We did see a few avalanche slides that were good size today (thurs.) It will be a great weekend to ride but your going to half to use your head. There's alot of fresh snow that has not slid yet.....

 

[1M800]

1 month from today we are heading out to Ten Mile Inn. Snow is looking great! Keep us posted!

 

[HappyJack]

1-8 weekend avalanche forescast

Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range

Issued 01/08/2010 7:29 AM by Ethan Greene

Highlights

Overnight mountain top temperatures dipped below 0 F with northwest wind in the 10 to 20 mph range. Wind speeds were stronger along the highest ridgelines. Recent snowfall and winds have put a new load on our very weak snowpack. Natural avalanches are possible on wind-loaded slopes along the highest terrain. Human triggered avalanches are probable on all wind-loaded slopes.Avalanches could break to the ground. Do not let bluebird skies and powder fever lure you onto dangerous slopes. There was a full burial in the Vail/Summit County zone yesterday. Check <a href="http://avalanche.state.co.us/pub_bc_avo.php?zone_id=2">here</a> for details.</p> Natural avis possible and human triggered probable. High avi danger along high ridges. Chk http://tinyurl.com/caiczone1 for more.

Avalanche Danger
There are pockets of HIGH avalanche danger in the Front Range zone on wind-loaded slopes that are above treeline and face NE-E-SE-S. Natural avalanches are possible in these areas. The danger is is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects above treeline and N-E-S facing slopes that are near or below treeline. Elsewhere, the danger is MODERATE.


Snow & Avalanche Discussion
New snow and wind this week have stressed our already fragile snowpack. Explosive work on Loveland Pass yesterday produced 8 avalanches 2 to 4 feet deep and 50 to 100 feet wide. They all ran on the ground or on an ice layer near the ground. There were also several human triggered avalanches in the Vail/Summit County zone.

These events are just the latest in a long string of natural, explosive, and human triggered avalanches. The base of the snowpack is composed of very weak snow resting on the ground or a layer of ice. This is a very weak setup and each time we put a little more weight on the pack, we have seen avalanches that are large enough to kill a backcountry traveler. Blue skies and fresh snow will provide some great backcountry recreation this weekend, but don't let the calm weather and good turning conditions lure you into dropping your guard. Travel one at a time through avalanche terrain and carefully evaluate the snow before you cross any steep slope. Watch for cracking and collapsing in the snow and use extra caution in wind-loaded areas or any place there are stiff layers in the mid and upper part of the snowpack. With a thick collapsible layer near the ground, it is possible trigger avalanches from low-angle areas on adjacent steep slopes

 

[snopro5353]

Will the temps forecasted in the upper 30s for the next week effect the powder up top much? They have close to 40 forecasted in centennial, then the temps up top must be cooler. Keep the pics coming, cant wait to leaving next friday.

 

[HappyJack]

Temps effecting snowpack

I do not foresee the temps helping the snowpack any in the short term. I will keep you abreast as I see it next week. Please avoid the Blue Sky and Fresh Powder temptation on the slopes. This is the WORST snowpack I have ever seen in my life here (and I'm 47 and born/raised here).