2012/2013 Alpine, WY Snow Conditions/Rockin' M Ranch

[rockinmranch]

November 12, 2012
It snowed off and on from Friday to Sunday. 2-3 inches here in the valley. Targhee ski resort received 19"
Blind bull 9"
Willow Creek (Bedford) 19"
Spring Creek (Afton) 13"
Togwotee 16"

 

[rockinmranch]

November 19, 2012
Finally cleared out this afternoon. It put down a bunch or moisture here at the Rockin' M cabins the last 3-4 days. Most of the valley snow was rained away. The snowline looks to be about 7000 feet and looks thick on the trees up high. Most of the area snotel sites are showing around 20". It should be great heavy wet base snow.

 

[rockinmranch]

December 1st, 2012
Plenty of moisture these last two days. Looks like rain on the bottom half of the mountains and snow on the top. Snowtel sites aren't moving much, but the water content is going up. Must be getting some heavy wet snow on top of what is already there. Most sites around here are around 8000 feet and a little over 20". Togwotee's site is a bit higher and closer to 30". Targhee ski resort is 52". They are reporting 5" new last night and Jackson Hole resort is reporting 12" in the last 24 hours. Right now we are getting thunder snow. The mountains are socked in to the valley floor with thunder/snow/and hail. The storm is supposed to get colder and change to snow Sunday into Monday.

 

[M8Chris]

Anyone know how smiths fork is?

 

[M8Chris]

ttt

 

[Bigrock33]

Anyone know how smiths fork is?

X2 !

 

[rockinmranch]

December 5, 2012
I talked to a guy who has been riding the Smith's Fork this last week. 2 1/2'- 3' feet of snow. About 7" inhces of new on top, that was Tuesday.
It has been sloppy wet (raining) here in Alpine through the weekend. It cooled down and snowed about an inch Tuesday morning and switched back to rain by the evening. It rained today like a June rain storm. The snow line appears to be about 7000'. Valley temps were 38-40 degrees. Elevation has been everything lately. If you get high enough there is a good bit of snow with a ton of water in it. The Valleys, as of now, are brown. It is supposed to cool down tomorrow and stay that way with 40+% chance of snow everyday through the end of the weekend. More snow predicted mid next week. It has been a warm December, but strangley enough, the snowpack in the Snake River region from here to Yellowstone is 105% of average. A little cool weather and we are on our way to a great winter. Some of todays Snotel sites and ski area reports:
Blind Bull (greys River) 8650' 28"
Triple peak (greys river/pinedale) 8500' 22"
Sping Creek (Afton) 9000' 26"
Willow Creek (Thayne) 8300' 24"
Granite Hot Springs (Hoback) 6770' 20"
Phillips bench (jackson/teton pass) 8200' 34"
Lewis Lake (Yellowstone) 7830' 55"
Grand Targhee (Driggs, Idaho) 9260' 62"

Targhee Ski Resort 5 day total 19"
Jackson Hole Mountain 24 hour total 8"

 

[dcooper]

The weather in alpine is depressing...

 

[rockinmranch]

December 8th, 2012
It finally looks like winter here in the valley. About 5" of new snow on my snowmobiles here at the cabins this morning. This storm put Blind Bull (Greys River) and the Spring Creek (Afton) snotel sites over 40". I hope to get out and get some pictures of the high country soon. Anyone please feel welcome to post pictures of your rides here in the Alpine/Star Valley area.
Thanks for looking,
Rob

 

[SkiDooHoser]

worth riding down there? Would be coming from Victor, Id.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[rockinmranch]

Snow!!!!

December 10, 2012
This happened last night. It's about noon right now. 8-10" last night and still snowing. I measured around the cabins today. About 12" on the ground. Forecast for snow throughout the week. 20" at the Box Y lodge. Most snowtel sites now over 40". Grooming starts next week. It is finally here. We are open for snowmobile rentals starting now.

 

[M8Chris]

I rode in star valley yesterday it was deeeeeeeep can't imagine how it is now

 

[rollcontrol]

Thank God! I'm driving out there from Minnesota on Sat. Was hoping to see some snow happen in the lower elevations, can you ride from the Grey's River Parking lot yet?

 

[rockinmranch]

You aren't going to have a problem riding from the Greys parking lot, but it could be a little rutted, probably not horrible due to the cool temps. Cindy from the Box Y said that they were planning on bringing all of their vehicles out yesterday and planning on using sleds from here on out. Take a 4 mile ride up to Squaw creek and head up to the high country. That should get you into deep snow pretty quick.

 

[dcooper]

I checked out the parking lot before heading up to Teton Pass today, there were a few sled tracks that looked like they were from yesterday. No vehicles in the lot but someone has been riding out there.. I might give it a shot in the upcoming days..

 

[rollcontrol]

Thanks for the info fellas! Alpine or bust, can't wait. Also really appreciate you guys talking about the Alpine area for us outsiders!

 

[rockinmranch]

December 13, 2012
I had to run to blind bull today for a rescue mission on a stuck sled. I attached a few pictures. 6-12 inches on the river trail from Alpine to Blind Bull. Plenty of loose snow to keep your sled cool. Has not been groomed yet, but not many ruts. I took a tape measure top of Blind Bull and took several measurements in places the wind hadn't gotten to. 42-48". The snotel site is a little drifted so it may not be real accurate at this time. Sleds are only sinking in about 6 inches. There is a very solid base this year (high water content). A few of the ridges were blown off with the tips of the sage brush sticking out.

 

[drypowder]

December 10, 2012
This happened last night. It's about noon right now. 8-10" last night and still snowing. I measured around the cabins today. About 12" on the ground. Forecast for snow throughout the week. 20" at the Box Y lodge. Most snowtel sites now over 40". Grooming starts next week. It is finally here. We are open for snowmobile rentals starting now.

thats a beautiful pic

 

[rockinmranch]

Two inches saturday morning and two more this morning. Dumping right now!!!

 

[rockinmranch]

We picked up a foot of good wetter snow here at the cabins from this last storm.