Forecast is showing a chance of snow everyday from Tuesday (Tomorrow) to Saturday and again on Monday. I will try to update often. Nothing new lately.
2011/12 Alpine, WY Snow Conditions from Rockin M Ranch
- Thread starter rockinmranch
- Start date
The storm was warm!
Thursday, December 29th
We are in the middle of what is suppoded to be a five day storm. So far the storm has been warmer than expected. It was wet snow yesterday for maybe an inch and rained/snowed last night here in the valley. The valley is a slushy mess today. The good new is that all of the local snotel sights are showing an additional 1.5 inches of water added to the mountain snowpack in the last couple days and 1 foot of snow on "the stick". This new snow is heavier sitting on a layer of dried out fluff from the last month. Actual snow may have been closer to 1 1/2 feet after you factor in settling. Most of the snotela are at 34 inches. I'm sure the riding is not awesome yet, but this is what our snowpack was needing to glue it back together. It is supposed to be similar wheather today and tommorow with the snow levels dropping back down on Saturday. I will keep this updated.
Thursday, December 29th
We are in the middle of what is suppoded to be a five day storm. So far the storm has been warmer than expected. It was wet snow yesterday for maybe an inch and rained/snowed last night here in the valley. The valley is a slushy mess today. The good new is that all of the local snotel sights are showing an additional 1.5 inches of water added to the mountain snowpack in the last couple days and 1 foot of snow on "the stick". This new snow is heavier sitting on a layer of dried out fluff from the last month. Actual snow may have been closer to 1 1/2 feet after you factor in settling. Most of the snotela are at 34 inches. I'm sure the riding is not awesome yet, but this is what our snowpack was needing to glue it back together. It is supposed to be similar wheather today and tommorow with the snow levels dropping back down on Saturday. I will keep this updated.
Friday December 30th, 2011
Rain turned back to snow. About 2" of wet snow here at the cabins this morning and still snowing. Forecast is for over a foot in the mountains the next 24 hours. Will report tomorrow.
Rain turned back to snow. About 2" of wet snow here at the cabins this morning and still snowing. Forecast is for over a foot in the mountains the next 24 hours. Will report tomorrow.
December 31, 2011
Last night the next part of the storm came in as rain and got colder as the night went on. Woke up to about 2" of snow here at the cabins. These last few days have added a fair bit of snow the the mountains and over 2 inches of water to the Snowpack at the snowtel sites. Mountains appear to have received 18-24" in the last few days. Yesterdays renters said that the snow in many of the higher meadows were over waist deep. Off trail riding is finally getting good. Due to the warmer weather and occasional rain of the last few days, the snow in the valley has settled a bit, but still plenty of coverage to get around town on your sleds. I attached a picture from this morning here at the cabins. Below is a list of snow levels at area snotel sites and amounts of snow at the area ski resorts.
Triple peak (wyoming range) 40"
Blind Bull (wyoming Range) 38"
Willow Creek (salt river range) 40"
South End (Afton, wyoming range) 38"
Togwotee 44"
Targhee Ski Resort 4 day storm total 29"
Targhee Snotel site 54"
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort last 24 hours 10"
Last night the next part of the storm came in as rain and got colder as the night went on. Woke up to about 2" of snow here at the cabins. These last few days have added a fair bit of snow the the mountains and over 2 inches of water to the Snowpack at the snowtel sites. Mountains appear to have received 18-24" in the last few days. Yesterdays renters said that the snow in many of the higher meadows were over waist deep. Off trail riding is finally getting good. Due to the warmer weather and occasional rain of the last few days, the snow in the valley has settled a bit, but still plenty of coverage to get around town on your sleds. I attached a picture from this morning here at the cabins. Below is a list of snow levels at area snotel sites and amounts of snow at the area ski resorts.
Triple peak (wyoming range) 40"
Blind Bull (wyoming Range) 38"
Willow Creek (salt river range) 40"
South End (Afton, wyoming range) 38"
Togwotee 44"
Targhee Ski Resort 4 day storm total 29"
Targhee Snotel site 54"
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort last 24 hours 10"
Thanks for your updates... looking at that area for the upcoming weekend.
Forecast is for some light mountain snow Friday and Saturday, dry Sunday and Monday, with another chance Tuesday and Wednesday.
My dad and his group are leaving today to be joining you for 5 days. Here's to hopin they find some good snow. Wish I could be joining them as well but unfortunately duty calls.
hi brent. HAHA
We went for a quick ride today to check conditions. Rode up to the top of squaw, to the Murphy Bowls. Snow ranges from 3-5 feet. Still some softer more powder like conditions in the trees. The more shade and the more trees, the better the snow. Although it is not over the hood type of powder, it has set up a little on top that you will leave a big trench when you break through if riding to slow. In all it is pretty fun and challenging snow. Many varing types of conditions. I was surprised by how few tracks and untouched snow there was. The lower murphy bowl to the South didn't have a single track since the last snow. I heard a few sleds above us in the upper bowls.
I also had three other friends ride Willow Creek/Bedford. Said they found good snow in the trees. It sounded like similar conditions to Squaw but possibly a bit more powder like and ussually a bit deeper up there. They also commented that the snow was not tracked up very much.
In general, I think we are all wishing for a bit more snow. Comparing to other areas I think we are in better shape than most. I think the good news for the Alpine area is that compared to an areas like Togwotee, we have a fraction of the people beating up the snow. I was pleasantly surprised by how many fresh lines were available today.
I also had three other friends ride Willow Creek/Bedford. Said they found good snow in the trees. It sounded like similar conditions to Squaw but possibly a bit more powder like and ussually a bit deeper up there. They also commented that the snow was not tracked up very much.
In general, I think we are all wishing for a bit more snow. Comparing to other areas I think we are in better shape than most. I think the good news for the Alpine area is that compared to an areas like Togwotee, we have a fraction of the people beating up the snow. I was pleasantly surprised by how many fresh lines were available today.
January 11, 2012
Snowed a bit last Night.
2" here at the cabins
2" at the Box Y
3" at Blind Bull
Sledders staying here at the cabins rode the Bedford area yesterday. Said snow was blow and crusty at the very top but got into some great powder if they dropped down into the canyons a bit.
Snowed a bit last Night.
2" here at the cabins
2" at the Box Y
3" at Blind Bull
Sledders staying here at the cabins rode the Bedford area yesterday. Said snow was blow and crusty at the very top but got into some great powder if they dropped down into the canyons a bit.
January 12, 2012
Correction to my report of Blind Bull getting three inches (based on snotel). The group, staying here at the cabins, claimed that they rode Blind Bull yesterday and it was pretty awesome. Said that the main trail on the way up had 8-10" of new. Once on top, maybe due to wind, they found several pockets and hills with 1-2 feet of fresh powder.
Correction to my report of Blind Bull getting three inches (based on snotel). The group, staying here at the cabins, claimed that they rode Blind Bull yesterday and it was pretty awesome. Said that the main trail on the way up had 8-10" of new. Once on top, maybe due to wind, they found several pockets and hills with 1-2 feet of fresh powder.
Rob - that is not an accurate report from your group IMHO. Rode Blind Bull on Wednesday and your initial report of 3" was much more accurate. Not real good snow to ride on. Windblown and crusty on top, some powder areas that were just sugar, no base, very inconsistent, hard to hold a line as every few feet changing snow conditions, frozen tracks under a few inches of snow with the occasional sugar pocket, kind of like riding a saddle bronc. We were all over Blind Bull, trees had no base with the sugar snow and risk hitting stumps, dead fall, etc. We rode Smiths on Thursday and found much better snow.
They were finding pockets as a result of the wind. They said will be posting soon with pictures. I am only posting what several guys in the group told me. I will be curious to see their pictures.
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We also found some pockets, just not any in a large enough area to really ride for more than a very short run or two. If you are really into carving, sidehilling, etc in any area for more than a few seconds, very, very hard to find consistent snow. Not trying to get in a pizzing contest, just don't want people misled and then be disappointed. Granted, some may think that a few pockets of sugar is great - more power to them, but for most of us, who have been spoiled, very average riding conditions. Some windblown areas had patches of powder, but never once found a whole area that had consistent snow. Hopefully, in a week or so, these conversations will be moot! Just my opinion, to each there own.
Just got home from Alpine. Stayed at the Rockin M. After hearing reports of NO SNOW I was really worried coming out. After one full day of riding I knew we would have no trouble finding decent snow. Wednesday and Thursday I was pumped to find entire mountain sides with filled with snow. I should have known better. In 16 years riding out west I have come out MANY TIMES to terrible snow reports only to find the good stuff. This year is no different. Sure, your not going to ride up the trail in 4 ft of fresh or hope off in the first meadow in 3ft of fresh. But it is there. Learn how to read a map and get adventurous. You'll find it.
I will tell you this much, once they get more snow it will be a great year. The base is starting to set up really good. Tree riding was really fun. You could sidehill for days yet could get around all over.
Just outside of town was decent.
Willow was well tracked.
Stawberry was excellent.
Blindbull was fantastic (most snow all week but what a long trail ride)
Thanks Rob and Jamie for the great time.
Brian
I will tell you this much, once they get more snow it will be a great year. The base is starting to set up really good. Tree riding was really fun. You could sidehill for days yet could get around all over.
Just outside of town was decent.
Willow was well tracked.
Stawberry was excellent.
Blindbull was fantastic (most snow all week but what a long trail ride)
Thanks Rob and Jamie for the great time.
Brian
January 19, 2012
I believe our snow worries are over. We are in the evening of the second day of a series of storms predicted to give the valleys 1-2 feet and the mountains 4 plus feet and lasting through the weekend. We woke up to a solid foot since yesterday at 10:00a.m. The valley got warm today and a rain/snow mix settled the valley snow and made a bit of a mess, although the mountains over about 7000 feet are getting hammered.
Snowtel sites last week to present:
Blindbull (Greys River, Wyoming Range) 34" to 59"
Willow 32" to 52"
Spring Creek (Afton) 33" to 48"
Phillips bench (Teton Pass, Jackson) 36" to 52"
Togwotee 39" to 52"
Targhee Ski Resort 19"
Jackson Hole Ski Resort 24"
I went for a ride today with some of the guests of our cabins. There is all of what the snotels are showing. Appears to be a solid 2 plus feet new over 8000 feet and definitly more much more than that in some locations. Snow has a ton of moisture. Good snow to ride up high. Very sloppy, almost slushy down low, along the river. The last days of this storm, later in the weekend, are supposed to be much cooler. That should help add a nice layer down low. I would be EXTREMELY careful of slides. We avoided the big stuff today and stayed in the trees. I watched a small cornice break on a hill that was only about 30 yards tall. The snow gathered and looked like any larger slide that I have watched. It made me wonder how bad it could be on a hill with real vertical to it. There is a warning for extreme danger for western Wyoming. I personally would stay away from the big areas, willow creek, indian, etc. Use caution everywhere else. I took a few pictures of today. I will try to post again towards the end of this storm. It is still snowing!!!
I believe our snow worries are over. We are in the evening of the second day of a series of storms predicted to give the valleys 1-2 feet and the mountains 4 plus feet and lasting through the weekend. We woke up to a solid foot since yesterday at 10:00a.m. The valley got warm today and a rain/snow mix settled the valley snow and made a bit of a mess, although the mountains over about 7000 feet are getting hammered.
Snowtel sites last week to present:
Blindbull (Greys River, Wyoming Range) 34" to 59"
Willow 32" to 52"
Spring Creek (Afton) 33" to 48"
Phillips bench (Teton Pass, Jackson) 36" to 52"
Togwotee 39" to 52"
Targhee Ski Resort 19"
Jackson Hole Ski Resort 24"
I went for a ride today with some of the guests of our cabins. There is all of what the snotels are showing. Appears to be a solid 2 plus feet new over 8000 feet and definitly more much more than that in some locations. Snow has a ton of moisture. Good snow to ride up high. Very sloppy, almost slushy down low, along the river. The last days of this storm, later in the weekend, are supposed to be much cooler. That should help add a nice layer down low. I would be EXTREMELY careful of slides. We avoided the big stuff today and stayed in the trees. I watched a small cornice break on a hill that was only about 30 yards tall. The snow gathered and looked like any larger slide that I have watched. It made me wonder how bad it could be on a hill with real vertical to it. There is a warning for extreme danger for western Wyoming. I personally would stay away from the big areas, willow creek, indian, etc. Use caution everywhere else. I took a few pictures of today. I will try to post again towards the end of this storm. It is still snowing!!!
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