2009/10 Snowy Range snow conditions
- Thread starter Himark
- Start date
S
shortstop20
Well-known member
2 more pics that were on my friend's camera.
Sat. Feb. 6th....snowing hard early morning with over a foot of fresh. Especially deep on the backside but tough to see with snow in the face...plenty of fun though.
Sun. Feb 7th...starting clear off with party sunny skies....awesome riding to say the least. Much easier to see the holes when the sun is out.
Mon. Feb. 8th...clear and cold early with perfect riding temps by 10am. Getting tracked up quite a bit but plenty of areas to play in if you look around. All around another excellent day of riding.
Sun. Feb 7th...starting clear off with party sunny skies....awesome riding to say the least. Much easier to see the holes when the sun is out.
Mon. Feb. 8th...clear and cold early with perfect riding temps by 10am. Getting tracked up quite a bit but plenty of areas to play in if you look around. All around another excellent day of riding.
Last edited:
Good snow again today! Got stuck a few times.
Ahhh I love this ****!!
H
HappyJack
Well-known member
Avy conditions 2.12.KX
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range
Issued 02/12/2010 6:03 AM by John Snook
Highlights
The second Colorado avalanche related fatality occurred Thursday on a north aspect in the Sneffels range south of Ridgway. We will post more details as they become available.
Several inches of new snow on the west side of the Divide. Northwest flow will generate some periods of light snow through the weekend favoring northwest facing mountain ranges. Recent avalanche activity reported from steep wind loaded slopes and these areas remain most suspect. Wind loading will be greatest on north through southeast facing aspects where human triggered slides are probable.
Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is CONSIDERABLE on N-NE-E-SE aspects above treeline and N-NE-E aspects near treeline. Elsewhere, the danger is MODERATE.
Snow & Avalanche Discussion
Portions of the Front Range zone received light snow overnight. The west side of the Divide was favored with up to 4" of new snow. Persistent northwest flow will keep a chance for periods of light snow right on through the weekend. Daily accumulations are not likely to be very great, but with time, it could add up to several inches on favored northwest facing mountain ranges. The Front Range snowpack continues to exhibit various signs of instability. Earlier in the week, an observer reported several natural slides west of Cameron Pass. These all ran on northeast to east aspects above treeline. North facing slopes in the trees were sometimes completely faceted. An observer west of Nederland found one natural slide that ran Wednesday afternoon on a steep, wind-loaded, above treeline east slope. CDOT triggered a small soft slab Tuesday morning on the west side of Berthoud Pass running on a northeast aspect at 11,040 feet. A backcountry observer near Berthoud Pass found multiple collapses and stuck to low angle terrain.
Much of the Front Range zone snowpack is heavily wind-effected resulting in widely varying conditions. Above treeline, slopes with west through south aspects have very little snow while north through east aspects are heavily loaded. Persistent west to northwest winds will keep the avalanche danger higher on the easterly side of the compass. Forecast snowfall amounts are not likely to overwhelm the buried weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack, but fresh wind loading might. Winds have been stronger along and east of the Divide, so slab development will vary by aspect, elevation and location around the Front Range zone. Areas along and east of the Divide will be more reactive than well west of the Divide. Manage your terrain carefully and avoid steep slopes in wind-loaded areas where you find signs of instability such as cracking and collapsing.
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range
Issued 02/12/2010 6:03 AM by John Snook
Highlights
The second Colorado avalanche related fatality occurred Thursday on a north aspect in the Sneffels range south of Ridgway. We will post more details as they become available.
Several inches of new snow on the west side of the Divide. Northwest flow will generate some periods of light snow through the weekend favoring northwest facing mountain ranges. Recent avalanche activity reported from steep wind loaded slopes and these areas remain most suspect. Wind loading will be greatest on north through southeast facing aspects where human triggered slides are probable.
Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is CONSIDERABLE on N-NE-E-SE aspects above treeline and N-NE-E aspects near treeline. Elsewhere, the danger is MODERATE.
Snow & Avalanche Discussion
Portions of the Front Range zone received light snow overnight. The west side of the Divide was favored with up to 4" of new snow. Persistent northwest flow will keep a chance for periods of light snow right on through the weekend. Daily accumulations are not likely to be very great, but with time, it could add up to several inches on favored northwest facing mountain ranges. The Front Range snowpack continues to exhibit various signs of instability. Earlier in the week, an observer reported several natural slides west of Cameron Pass. These all ran on northeast to east aspects above treeline. North facing slopes in the trees were sometimes completely faceted. An observer west of Nederland found one natural slide that ran Wednesday afternoon on a steep, wind-loaded, above treeline east slope. CDOT triggered a small soft slab Tuesday morning on the west side of Berthoud Pass running on a northeast aspect at 11,040 feet. A backcountry observer near Berthoud Pass found multiple collapses and stuck to low angle terrain.
Much of the Front Range zone snowpack is heavily wind-effected resulting in widely varying conditions. Above treeline, slopes with west through south aspects have very little snow while north through east aspects are heavily loaded. Persistent west to northwest winds will keep the avalanche danger higher on the easterly side of the compass. Forecast snowfall amounts are not likely to overwhelm the buried weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack, but fresh wind loading might. Winds have been stronger along and east of the Divide, so slab development will vary by aspect, elevation and location around the Front Range zone. Areas along and east of the Divide will be more reactive than well west of the Divide. Manage your terrain carefully and avoid steep slopes in wind-loaded areas where you find signs of instability such as cracking and collapsing.
Feb 11, 12, 13 - deep, deeper, deepest.
It was either chest deep or waist deep depending how tall you are.
Countless times I was not able to breath because the snow was coming over my windshield into my helmet.
It was either chest deep or waist deep depending how tall you are.
Countless times I was not able to breath because the snow was coming over my windshield into my helmet.
Hope it keeps up till thursday....
Hope that storm is heading north, hitting toggy on Thursday. Glad you boyz had good snow.
I have never had that many days of heavy snow fall there. You said it, I have never ate that much snow coming off my hood.
C
creakyfurball
New member
DEEEEEEEEEEP
Group of us up there today and there was plenty of untracked on the backside. Some of the guys were even getting stuck on flat lands.
Group of us up there today and there was plenty of untracked on the backside. Some of the guys were even getting stuck on flat lands.
URGENT: anti-snowmobile email from BCA
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
Albany County Commissioners Need Your Input
Snowy Range Snowmobile Parking Lot [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
HELP PROTECT
Families * Fun * Freedom
and the
Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Send your letters to:
Albany County Commissioners Office
525 Grand Ave., Suite 202
Laramie, WY 82070
In recent years, out-of-control snowmobiling has driven skiers, snowshoers, and other non-motorized tourists off the Snowies at a great loss to the local economy, family recreation opportunities, and to the peace and quiet enjoyed--for decades--by Albany County citizens and tourists alike.
- Safe, peaceful and healthy winter recreation in our beautiful Snowies
- Skiers, snowshoers and others who enjoy tranquil recreation and generate Wyoming tourism dollar$
Tell your Albany County Commissioners to oppose:
- A 10-acre (Wal-Mart sized) snowmobile parking lot on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway
- Chaos, noise pollution and private property vandalism
- Unsafe recreation conditions and more destruction of wildlife habitat
Key Points [/FONT]to Remember:
- 92% of public comment received by the Forest Service opposed the Green Rock picnic area parking lot.
- Wyoming Game & Fish warned the Forest Service about the negative impacts the parking lot and increased snowmobile use would pose to wildlife.
- Wildlife is sensitive to the noise, commotion, exhausts, and the lingering impacts of snowmobile activities.
- Snowmobile exhausts pollute air and leave a thin film of oily residue along the Scenic Byway. This residue can pollute landscapes, lakes, and even poison trout populations during the spring thaw.
- Large-scale snow compaction can close important undersnow passages leaving small mammals, important to the alpine food chain, to starve or freeze to death.
- Snowmobiles can crush fragile alpine vegetation that can take decades to regenerate.
- Out-of-control snowmobile recreation destroys already limited white-tailed ptarmigan habitat.
Also, please send letters to:
Albany County Tourism Board
Convention and Visitor Bureau
210 Custer
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
307-745-4195
http://www.visitlaramie.org/contact.html
Wyoming Travel & Tourism
1520 Etchepare Circle
Cheyenne, WY 82007
307-777-7777
info@visitwyo.gov
Contact me, Duane Short, if you have questions or comments.
Thank you for using your Voice for the Wild!
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]With appreciation for all your help!
<img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.19" alt="Duane's Signature" width="200" border="0" height="62">
Duane Short
Wild Species Program Director[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
This is their latest attack... we must counter with our support letters.
Albany County Commissioners Need Your Input
Snowy Range Snowmobile Parking Lot
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
HELP PROTECT
Families * Fun * Freedom
and the
Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Send your letters to:
Albany County Commissioners Office
525 Grand Ave., Suite 202
Laramie, WY 82070
In recent years, out-of-control snowmobiling has driven skiers, snowshoers, and other non-motorized tourists off the Snowies at a great loss to the local economy, family recreation opportunities, and to the peace and quiet enjoyed--for decades--by Albany County citizens and tourists alike.
Tell your Albany County Commissioners to support:
- Safe, peaceful and healthy winter recreation in our beautiful Snowies
- Skiers, snowshoers and others who enjoy tranquil recreation and generate Wyoming tourism dollar$
Tell your Albany County Commissioners to oppose:
- A 10-acre (Wal-Mart sized) snowmobile parking lot on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway
- Chaos, noise pollution and private property vandalism
- Unsafe recreation conditions and more destruction of wildlife habitat
Key Points [/FONT]to Remember:
- 92% of public comment received by the Forest Service opposed the Green Rock picnic area parking lot.
- Wyoming Game & Fish warned the Forest Service about the negative impacts the parking lot and increased snowmobile use would pose to wildlife.
- Wildlife is sensitive to the noise, commotion, exhausts, and the lingering impacts of snowmobile activities.
- Snowmobile exhausts pollute air and leave a thin film of oily residue along the Scenic Byway. This residue can pollute landscapes, lakes, and even poison trout populations during the spring thaw.
- Large-scale snow compaction can close important undersnow passages leaving small mammals, important to the alpine food chain, to starve or freeze to death.
- Snowmobiles can crush fragile alpine vegetation that can take decades to regenerate.
- Out-of-control snowmobile recreation destroys already limited white-tailed ptarmigan habitat.
- The proposed Green Rock snowmobile parking lot would encroach upon the Snowy Range Inventoried Roadless Area.
- Snowmobile recreation would be more compatible with non-motorized recreation and less disruptive to alpine wildlife and plants if the snowmobile parking lot is located to the south along Highway 230, near Albany or Ryan Park on the west side of the Snowies, and outside of the Snowy Range Inventoried Roadless Area.
- Snowmobile recreation would be more compatible with non-motorized recreation and less disruptive to alpine wildlife and plants if the snowmobile parking lot is located to the south along Highway 230, near Albany or Ryan Park on the west side of the Snowies, and outside of the Snowy Range Inventoried Roadless Area.
Also, please send letters to:
Albany County Tourism Board
Convention and Visitor Bureau
210 Custer
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
307-745-4195
http://www.visitlaramie.org/contact.html
Wyoming Travel & Tourism
1520 Etchepare Circle
Cheyenne, WY 82007
307-777-7777
info@visitwyo.gov
The Wyoming Department of Transportation
WYDOT Headquarters
5300 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY
82009-3340
307-777-4375
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/ContactWYDOT/
WYDOT Headquarters
5300 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY
82009-3340
307-777-4375
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/ContactWYDOT/
Contact me, Duane Short, if you have questions or comments.
Thank you for using your Voice for the Wild!
Medicine Bow Sugarloaf photo by Duane Short
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]With appreciation for all your help!
<img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.19" alt="Duane's Signature" width="200" border="0" height="62">
Duane Short
Wild Species Program Director[/FONT]
1
1wpdn1
Member
Show me the Data!!!!
That looks like the Classic Unsubstantiated "greenie" propagandaI have seen in my fine state for the last 30 years...I want to see the research data ( and which group conducted the study) that indicates snowmobiles in the Snowy Range have caused the damage and pollution this advertisement contends.
I would be more than willing to take the lead in any type of legal action that might be necessary in Albany County / Or more likely Federal Injunctive relief if this gets any traction.
That looks like the Classic Unsubstantiated "greenie" propagandaI have seen in my fine state for the last 30 years...I want to see the research data ( and which group conducted the study) that indicates snowmobiles in the Snowy Range have caused the damage and pollution this advertisement contends.
I would be more than willing to take the lead in any type of legal action that might be necessary in Albany County / Or more likely Federal Injunctive relief if this gets any traction.
Fax to Albany County Commissioners 307-721-2544
TO: Albany County Commissioners
FR: *Name*
RE: National Forest access
We greatly appreciate our frequent trips to Wyoming for snowmobiling and camping. It is a wonderful place. We also spend a great deal of money in Wyoming and enjoy doing so.
We are very concerned about what is perceived to be attacks from small special interest groups with political connections actively working to taking away National Forest lands by declaring them Roadless or Wilderness. Currently less than 1/3 of USFS land in Wyoming remains open to all users. Additionally, these same individuals wish to restrict or make access for non-pedestrian forest visitors more difficult by opposing Green Rock parking modifications.
Please help protect the right for thousands of us to enjoy the forest and Wyoming. Please support Green Rock for everyone.
Thank you.
*Name
*Address
*Phone
*Email
TO: Albany County Commissioners
FR: *Name*
RE: National Forest access
We greatly appreciate our frequent trips to Wyoming for snowmobiling and camping. It is a wonderful place. We also spend a great deal of money in Wyoming and enjoy doing so.
We are very concerned about what is perceived to be attacks from small special interest groups with political connections actively working to taking away National Forest lands by declaring them Roadless or Wilderness. Currently less than 1/3 of USFS land in Wyoming remains open to all users. Additionally, these same individuals wish to restrict or make access for non-pedestrian forest visitors more difficult by opposing Green Rock parking modifications.
Please help protect the right for thousands of us to enjoy the forest and Wyoming. Please support Green Rock for everyone.
Thank you.
*Name
*Address
*Phone
Snowies Feb 8-12
Well, I'm back from my Vaca in the snowies... We unfortunately just caught the start of the latest snow. Monday-Wed out of Green Rock was kinda Booorring but we found our way around and learned the trails and had fun anyway. Thursday we rode out of Albany, toward French Creek, then back up along W to T and back down to Albany. It snowed on us most of the time, and there were lots of side trails to hit off W that had little to no traffic on them for weeks it looked. We even found part of the old snowmobile trail, but lost it when it hit a large clearing. Good powder to play in without too much fear of getting stuck. Friday, it was obvious from the porch that it hadn't stopped snowing, and we rode out of Green Rock... It was pretty bad up top... Wind was howling, and snow coming down HARD. We rode in to check out the bottom of the hills, but you couldn't see much and there was hood deep powder everywhere. Some guy was pulling his Poo off a 6x6 post that was hidden down at the campground, and we decided to move on after a few lame attempts. We ended up breaking open about half of the V trail for fun. Lots of clearings to ride w/o so much risk, and as we went lower, the snow eased up enough that we could have some fun. Still, it didn't take long to get the goggles wet to the point of it not being fun because we couldn't see... I dug myself out three times and was pretty tired, so we headed back to the parking lot, sad to be leaving such awesome snow, but happy to be safe in the lot after having to ride portions really slow to keep everyone in sight.
In all, a great trip. On our way out Saturday AM, we must have passed about a hundred trucks on their way to the powder at about 8AM... Don't know how you fit most of them at Green Rock or Albany! (I'll be sure to write in support of lot improvements!)
Stayed at Cain's (Snowpsycho) place and it was great!! If the snow starts falling, we'll be back in March! (BTW, snowies have a LOT more snow than any of the other destinations so far as I can see, be thankful!!)
Chris
Well, I'm back from my Vaca in the snowies... We unfortunately just caught the start of the latest snow. Monday-Wed out of Green Rock was kinda Booorring but we found our way around and learned the trails and had fun anyway. Thursday we rode out of Albany, toward French Creek, then back up along W to T and back down to Albany. It snowed on us most of the time, and there were lots of side trails to hit off W that had little to no traffic on them for weeks it looked. We even found part of the old snowmobile trail, but lost it when it hit a large clearing. Good powder to play in without too much fear of getting stuck. Friday, it was obvious from the porch that it hadn't stopped snowing, and we rode out of Green Rock... It was pretty bad up top... Wind was howling, and snow coming down HARD. We rode in to check out the bottom of the hills, but you couldn't see much and there was hood deep powder everywhere. Some guy was pulling his Poo off a 6x6 post that was hidden down at the campground, and we decided to move on after a few lame attempts. We ended up breaking open about half of the V trail for fun. Lots of clearings to ride w/o so much risk, and as we went lower, the snow eased up enough that we could have some fun. Still, it didn't take long to get the goggles wet to the point of it not being fun because we couldn't see... I dug myself out three times and was pretty tired, so we headed back to the parking lot, sad to be leaving such awesome snow, but happy to be safe in the lot after having to ride portions really slow to keep everyone in sight.
In all, a great trip. On our way out Saturday AM, we must have passed about a hundred trucks on their way to the powder at about 8AM... Don't know how you fit most of them at Green Rock or Albany! (I'll be sure to write in support of lot improvements!)
Stayed at Cain's (Snowpsycho) place and it was great!! If the snow starts falling, we'll be back in March! (BTW, snowies have a LOT more snow than any of the other destinations so far as I can see, be thankful!!)
Chris
Monday report....broke trail down "O" part way to get back to Sand Lake and check on my emergency kit. Tough riding with my 9 and 12 year old since it was so deep back there. Fun for me though.
Once we came back out the field was much better for them with only about a foot of fresh to play in.
Here's my video of a field we tore up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVQjnRpQiCE
Once we came back out the field was much better for them with only about a foot of fresh to play in.
Here's my video of a field we tore up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVQjnRpQiCE
Just got home from the snowies. Absolutely some of the best snow coupled with the best weather I have ever had. We rode sunday and monday with the whole family. And as rev said, we tried to get to sand lake sunday, all untracked, and gave up because two of us were tired of digging out the kids. It will be a trip they all will remember. I'll post pics later. Also have great helmet cam footage, but it got left up top when a tree ate it and could not be found.
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