A place to ride this weekend between Boise and mccall

[Doonbuggy12]

Hi guys. I am new around here. Just moved to horseshoe bend. I only have a trail sled and would like to go someplace close and play a little. Anywhere between here and McCall that has enough snow to trail or road ride. I will go probably anytime Thursday through the weekend. I know you guys frown upon trail sleds but I have to get out and play and haven't decided what to do about a mtn sled yet. If anyone wants to just get out this weekend I would love to ride with someone local. If not is anyone willing to give me directions to a trailhead that will have enough snow this weekend?
Thanks guys,
Brandon

 

[Doonbuggy12]

Is nobody writing back because I said trails? Or did I say something else wrong?

 

[meathooker]

What kind of sled are you on? We rode brundage last Friday and once you got up a ways the trail was 18" deep. I'm sure it's near down by now but if you're one an older short track it may not be very much fun. Deadwood shows a lot of snow on snowtel but I'm not sure how low it is. I heard west MTn had snow but you have to trailer up the road (44 iirc) to get to it.

 

[Doonbuggy12]

Thanks guy. I have a '10 600 etec 120". And a 02 136 . Not sure which one I would bring. I think the etec would probably be better around here. I will head up that direction soon and try them both out. I have nothing to lose. And quite a bit of free time. If I get stuck all the time and it sucks I'll probably swing into Hinson.

 

[meathooker]

Thanks guy. I have a '10 600 etec 120". And a 02 136 . Not sure which one I would bring. I think the etec would probably be better around here. I will head up that direction soon and try them both out. I have nothing to lose. And quite a bit of free time. If I get stuck all the time and it sucks I'll probably swing into Hinson.

once the groomers are out (and we have snow down lower) there are quite a few more places to ride, but this time of year you probably couldnt even follow most mtn sleds unless there was a good sized group to pack down a path for you. Right up the rode from you is the cougar mtn parking lot @ smith ferry and that is a great place to go with a short tracker. rode around there a lot when i was a kid.

http://www.cougarmt.com/

 

[Doonbuggy12]

I appreciate all the info. Thank you

 

[reldridg]

Hey there Doon,

I will second meathookers advice with riding out from the Cougar Mountain Lodge area (once there is enough snow).

There are great trails there and also a lot of places to play with a 136" track. I remember when those were long track mountain sleds. My backup sled is a 136" 600 arctic cat and it goes where ever I want it to go, sometimes I get stuck more on it than i want but that is part of the fun.

It seems like the best chance this weekend though will be going up towards McCall to find the snow.

 

[BeckyJ]

Raining

It rained all night in McCall and in Secesh. They were planning to groom Warren Wagon Road in to Warren today (Wednesday) but are moving it back a day to Thursday. Grooming in the area around Brudage won't start until they get a landslide cleared out.

 

[Doonbuggy12]

Thanks Reldridg,

I'll probably convert my etec to a 136 as a backup sled and buy a mtn sled. Just not sure what I want yet. I can't wait to explore all of this area. It seems awesome all over.

 

[Extreme-One]

Like others have said Cougar mt lodge area or west mt when the snow level drops a bit. There is some great riding out of Lowman and Garden Valley but we need snow for access. Hit up Moto Tech and schedule a demo, they have both Cat and Ski Doo all ready for demo rides.

Good Luck!

 

[sledparty]

Sorry for my ignorance as I'm new to this area but when you say "groom warren wagon road to warren" are you talking about the main road or a trail system? I camped at upper lake payette this summer so I am starting to learn the area a little. Just looking for clarification, it sounds like from your statement they are grooming the main road for snowmobile use? or when you say "groom" you mean plow? Sorry just choooomping at the bit to get out on two new sleds even if it's just on the roads. Dont want to drive the 2 1/2 hours for a bust.

 

[Extreme-One]

About 2-3 miles past Payette Lake on Warren Wagon Road there is a snowmobile parking lot, Francis Wallace parking lot. At this point they start grooming the road/trail and cars/trucks are not allowed.

 

[sledparty]

Thanks,

Yup I know that lot in late august we went up to upper lake payette. It was a camping / scouting trip for elk pre-season. I definitly saw this lot (dropped in and saw all the sand hills and groomer sheds) I know exactly where this is. You heard grooming is starting from there? I was suprised McCall is so far out of Boise I (thought) it was 1 1/2 hours it was more like 2 1/2 in summer. Oh well.. tomorrow I'm loading a sled in my truck and scouting for road rides. Thanks for the clarification though, I know right where that spot is! Nice big lot, hold a few trucks and 4- placed enclosed!

 

[Extreme-One]

Yep, nice big lot and it holds quite a few large vehicles. There is a private sled rental guy that runs a business out of the lot and they can take up a lot of room with customers vehicles. On busy weekends you have park on the road above the lot. I've seen it go for a mile or more, watch for signage, it helps direct parking on the road.