2010/11 Snow conditions Snowy Range

[MI1M600EFI]

Dec 19 Ride

Well, I went up Sunday morning with a friend from Laramie. I took my old 600 because it's a tank and therefore more landmine resistant than the M8. For those of you suggesting it's still too early to ride, I say please continue, as it'll keep the traffic to a minimum for me. Matter of fact, don't go at all this year, there will never be enough snow!

There seems to be as much snow up there right now as there was in Feb last year!! There was certainly as much snow in Green Rock as last Feb! I bounded up into the trees a LOT, and hit NOTHING. ALL DAY!! There are certainly still a few exposed areas, but most of the riding is great!! Even the rollercoaster is only showing a few snags up the sides... Ride what you can see and you should be fine!

There was a lot of heavy, fresh powder up there. I wanted my M8 one I realized how deep it was! Snowed all day, so visibility wasn't real good, which made it even tougher to ride the deep... Couldn't tell I was getting stuck until it was too late usually. Good tree riding, but the open areas were really soft and deep!

Ok, enough. Everybody wait till Feb when there's enough snow for you to ride without fear... Me, I'm heading up around Christmas for some more great riding!!

C

 

[XP Summit]

Rode on the back side today. The snow was powder and deep. Still a ton of buried rocks and open creeks with running water to look out for.

Hey Winter Creek Neighbors... this is Shawn we where staying next to you at the Phoenix and played follow the leader with you on the back side for the day! That was hilarious... every 30 minutes we would find each other in some random area. LOL.

Cheers
Shawn

 

[OCDsledder]

19 Dec 2010

Finally got a chance on Sunday to make it up for the first time this year. What a day for a first ride. Anywhere from 10" to 18" plus and snowing all day.

 

[dansyl159]

Finally got a chance on Sunday to make it up for the first time this year. What a day for a first ride. Anywhere from 10" to 18" plus and snowing all day.

And it hasn't quit yet. We rode today, 3 to 4 ft of new on the backside. We're still in a Winter storm warning 'till 11 tomorrow night. Woohoo!

 

[HappyJack]

AVY WATCH!

Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is HIGH (Level 4) above treeline on north through southeast aspects. Elsewhere the danger is CONSIDERABLE (Level 3). Human triggered avalanches, especially in the storm slab, are likely in all areas of CONSIDERABLE danger. Natural avalanches are likely in areas of HIGH danger.

 

[pwdrhogRMK800]

This friday will be one of the best days possible down there............heavy snow all week and sunny on Friday!!

 

[OCDsledder]

DEEP POWDER

The powder is unbelievable. 3 of us rode today and met a couple guys from Kansas. Had a great time riding with Blake and Garrett, nice to meet you guys. We were pushing 2' to 3' of snow on the highway all the way to Lake Mariae. We played on the hill for a little while and then went to the Quealy warming hut. Met some guys from Iowa while at the hut. The snow was going over your head while standing up and riding. It snowed all day. Sno-tell showed 22" at North French Creek from 0500 on the 20th through 0500 on the 21st. We had about 4" on the truck at Green Rock when we got back. And it is still snowing.

 

[blzntrlss]

I think we were at "Quealy" warming hut Lee.

 

[WyoRMK]

From the NOAA Site:http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=cys&storyid=61448&source=0

Amazing Mountain Snow Reports!

Heavy snow has fallen since Saturday over the Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges. The snow is being produced in part by a very moist southwest wind flow into the Rockies ahead of a storm system that has been over the eastern Pacific. This is the same scenario that has produced recent heavy rain and snow over California and even flooding in Hawaii. For our mountains, incredible snow amounts have resulted over the Snowy and Sierra Madre Ranges. This long duration event will still continue through Wednesday night...so more snow for our area, including the Snowy and Sierra Madre Ranges. In fact, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect and there will likely be at least an additional 6 to 12 inches of new snow through Wednesday. The snowfall was estimated from automated sensors in the mountains called SNOTEL's. Some of the amazing estimated storm snowfall totals for those mountains from Saturday through mid afternoon Tuesday include...
Sierra Madre Range
Sage Creek Basin SNOTEL, 35 miles south of Rawlins at 7850 feet 31.5 inches
Divide Peak SNOTEL, 19 miles west southwest of Encampment at 8880 feet 36.0 inches
Battle Mountain SNOTEL, 14 miles east of Dixon at 7440 feet. 22.8 inches
Sandstone Ranger Station SNOTEL, 17 miles southwest of Encampment at 8150 feet 31.2 inches
Old Battle SNOTEL, 10 miles southwest of Encampment at 10000 feet 73.5 inches
Webber Springs SNOTEL, 5 miles southwest of Encampment at 9250 feet 58.5 inches
Little Snake River SNOTEL, 10 miles southwest of Encampment at 8915 feet 50.4 inches
Blackhall Mountain SNOTEL, 11 miles south southeast of Encampment at 9820 feet 63.0 inches
Snowy Range
South Brush Creek SNOTEL, 17 miles east northeast of Riverside at 8440 feet 30.0 inches
North French Creek SNOTEL, 12 miles northwest of Centennial at 10130 feet 57.0 inches
Sand Lake SNOTEL, 30 miles northwest of Laramie at 10050 feet 48.0 inches
Brooklyn Lake SNOTEL, 7 miles northwest of Centennial at 10240 feet 60.0 inches
Cinnabar Park SNOTEL, 6 miles southwest of Centennial at 9574 feet 33.6 inches
Laramie Range
Crow Creek SNOTEL, 10 miles southeast of Laramie at 8330 feet. 12.0 inches

 

[OCDsledder]

I think we were at "Quealy" warming hut Lee.

I have never claimed to be able to spell very well.

Thanks for the Sno-tel updates Dan.

 

[dansyl159]

The powder is unbelievable. 3 of us rode today and met a couple guys from Kansas. Had a great time riding with Blake and Garrett, nice to meet you guys. We were pushing 2' to 3' of snow on the highway all the way to Lake Mariae. We played on the hill for a little while and then went to the Quealy warming hut. Met some guys from Iowa while at the hut. The snow was going over your head while standing up and riding. It snowed all day. Sno-tell showed 22" at North French Creek from 0500 on the 20th through 0500 on the 21st. We had about 4" on the truck at Green Rock when we got back. And it is still snowing.

Thought I saw you pulling out of Marie yesterday! We noticed the snow was wetter on the back, kept sticking to my goggles when it would come over the hood, unusual for Dec.

 

[OCDsledder]

Yah, clean the goggles off and they would ice up in 100yards.

 

[zr600cce]

Some pictures from last weekend at the range. Some great champagne powder.

 

[Coldfinger]

ZR600 - nice pics.

 

[scubba steve]

hilger

when did you start wearing goggles dan. You never wear them.. c ya monday

 

[dansyl159]

Not near as tough as I used to be. To be honest I tried pulling 'em down, but there was so much snow my eyes would sting.

 

[dsmitty166]

There is plenty of snow to find by Albany right now! Great snow for down south. I just got back today from staying in a cabin 2 miles south of Albany. We never got past Rob Roy, (9 miles from the lodge). The snow was so deep and good we didn't need to! Rode in powder above the hood all day. Buried the sled up to the handlebars a few times too! Some of the best snow I've seen!

 

[bigrig]

ya sounds sweet. meeting family and kids in black hills this weekend. 2" fresh powder, oh boy.... wish this was snowies weekend for us. have fun every one who can make it out there. MERRY XMAS!!!!!:

 

[Mean Yamaha]

Rode out of green rock yesterday the snow was awesome! I thought I would Post some Pics. Oh and everyone be VERY CAREFUL we got caught up in a small Avy yesterday going over the Gap of all places!!

 

[oneal30]

where was the pic of the avy?

Do you know where that small avy was? Just curious. The avy conditions have to be pretty bad right now with all the new snow in a short amount of time. I'm dying to go there right now but not real excited about the avy risk at the moment.

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