2016/17 Alpine, WY Snow Report, Rockin' M Ranch

[rockinmranch]

February 18th, 2017 Alpine, Snow Conditions Rockin' M
Still plenty of snow. Snowpack is about 150% Temps have been 0-10 overnight and 30-40 in the day. Snow down low is hard. For the most part, expect spring like conditions. New snow is in the forecast but more of a rain snow mix in the Valley. Current avalanche conditions are as follows:
GENERAL AVALANCHE ADVISORY
A series of melt-freeze cycles, direct sunlight and a refrozen rain layer have resulted in a snowpack that is mostly stable at all elevations. New snow is falling on this snowpack that is topped with widespread hard and slick crusts while settled powder still lies in steep shaded slopes. Be advised that low hazard does not mean no hazard exists and backcountry travelers are encouraged to take caution and not be surprised by isolated pockets of newly formed small, shallow surface slabs, especially in terrain where a fall could carry severe consequences.

 

[rockinmranch]

February 20, 2017 Alpine, Wyoming Snow Report
The last two days the snow level has been a few hundred feet above the valley floor until yesterday afternoon it dropped leaving us an inch or two in the Valley. Both local ski resorts are reporting 8" in the last twenty four hours. Local snotel sites appear about the same from 4-8" although the south end (spring creek) by Afton is showing about 12" new in the last few days. Many days of snow in the forecast will hopefully get is back to soft powder like conditions. It looks good for next weekend.

 

[rockinmranch]

February 22, 2017 Alpine, Wyoming Snow Report Rockin' M
A cold front came through about 2:00 p.m. yesterday and left us about 5" of wet snow here in the valley. Temps are forecast to stay in the 20's for the next 5 or more days with light snow in the mountains over the weekend. I wouldn't expect over the hood powder, but this should have freshened things up a bit. Local ski resorts are reporting about 18" in the last few days.

 

[High Voltage]

Lots of good snow to play in. Visibility has limited the number of people venturing to far into the hills.

 

[rockinmranch]

February 24, 2017 Alpine, Wyoming Snow Report Rockin' M
The snow conditions have made a big turn around from last week. The local snotel sites are showing about 18" of new snow over the last 4 days. We picked up about 3-4" yesterday and another 2-3" last night here at the cabins. Temps are predicted to stay cool and more snow predicted from Sunday to Tuesday. It's a good time to be riding!!

 

[TheJett29]

It sure is. My oh my!!!

 

[Blk88GT]

These guys are all lying... there's no snow!

 

[Wintertime]

Stayed at Rockin' M Ranch this weekend. GREAT place to stay VERY NICE cabins and friendly owners. We found some great snow and fun. We will be back soon. I think some summer Fly Fishing, with all the good looking streams around that place. Thanks for having a nice place to stay.

 

[rockinmranch]

Thanks for the pictures, they are worth a thousand words!!

 

[coolx2]

Any updates? headed out from Newhampshire on Thursday.Thanks

 

[tuneman]

Any updates? headed out from Newhampshire on Thursday.Thanks

It's awesome out there right now. Ten foot base and still snowing. Just wish I wasn't stuck at work... You're going to get there at a perfect time.

 

[rockinmranch]

March 7, 2017
It has been in the 20's and snowed a few inches each day here in the valley. It is fairly difficult to tell what has really fallen since it has been windy. Local ski resorts are reporting from 11-18" the last few days. Snotel sites are all around 100". The Snake River Region snowpack is 152%. Moisture is in the forecast from now until Friday and again next week. This is by far the most snow I have personally seen since 1997 on the Valley floor at this time of the year. Should be great spring riding!!

 

[sledhead685]

Does anyone know where the snow line has been the last few days?

 

[tuneman]

Does anyone know where the snow line has been the last few days?

It's been up to 9k feet the last couple of days. Unfortunately, it's going to stay warm with little snow in the forecast. Better get up high, and soon.

 

[Goinboardin]

It's been up to 9k feet the last couple of days. Unfortunately, it's going to stay warm with little snow in the forecast. Better get up high, and soon.

I was really hoping you were wrong! Seemed to transitioned around 8500'+ depending on location in the ranges. Awesome terrain, I'll have to come back when it's not 50°F at 6k.

 

[rockinmranch]

March 14, 2017 Alpine, WY Snow Report Rockin' M Ranch
I would say for now, count on spring riding. The forecast is for some high mountain snow Sunday and Monday. High temps in the upper 40's until then. Still freezing at night With the amount of snow we have this year, regardless of some warm weather, we should have valley snow until April, and should be able to ride the high country until late May if not longer.

 

[rockinmranch]

March 23, 2017 Alpine, Wyoming Snow report

Alpine, WY Snow Report March 23, 2017 Rockin' M Ranch
The high mountain snowpack for the Snake River Region is still at 148% of average. The temps for the last few weeks have been unseasonably warm. Highs in the 40's in the Valley with an occasional 50's. Some of the nights have not been getting below freezing. There is still plenty of snow to ride from all of the trailheads throughout the valley. It would now be difficult to ride from the Rockin' M Cabins into town without having to cross many bare spots. The Salt River is running 3 times the record level for this time of the year. We are not flooding, but have river flows more typical for June. The snow levels over 8000 feet are similar to the record years of 1997 and 2011, but until we get a cool down and some new snow up high to freshen things up, expect slushy, mushy, spring time riding.