Albany Parking Area

[Snow Fox]

I read in the Snowys Snow Report thread of people commenting on the parking situation at Albany, so I thought I would create a thread. Albany wasn't to bad last year and is where I prefer to park, but this year is another story, a bad story.

New Years day I parked up there before 7:30 am and the place was packed and a big cluster. I was upset to say the least because the majority of vehicles were there camping and taking up 4 or 5 parking spots between their motor homes, trailers, and parking their sleds around the trailers. The parking area is DAY USE ONLY. I also paid for the annual parking pass and most vehicles aren't even in compliance of that. I for one have had enough and will be speaking to the Forest Service. If they are going to be making these rules and regulations, then they should be making people comply with them. Maybe then the parking areas wouldn't be such a mess and be used as peoples private campgrounds. I don't know if it will do any good, but I will try. As far as Green Rock goes, and the people that like to double park, etc., I will be taking action on that as well. There I vented, does anybody else want to?

 

[rockdog2112]

I read in the Snowys Snow Report thread of people commenting on the parking situation at Albany, so I thought I would create a thread. Albany wasn't to bad last year and is where I prefer to park, but this year is another story, a bad story.

New Years day I parked up there before 7:30 am and the place was packed and a big cluster. I was upset to say the least because the majority of vehicles were there camping and taking up 4 or 5 parking spots between their motor homes, trailers, and parking their sleds around the trailers. The parking area is DAY USE ONLY. I also paid for the annual parking pass and most vehicles aren't even in compliance of that. I for one have had enough and will be speaking to the Forest Service. If they are going to be making these rules and regulations, then they should be making people comply with them. Maybe then the parking areas wouldn't be such a mess and be used as peoples private campgrounds. I don't know if it will do any good, but I will try. As far as Green Rock goes, and the people that like to double park, etc., I will be taking action on that as well. There I vented, does anybody else want to?

We were at Albany on the 2nd and it was just as bad. It was a joke. Apparently it's a camp ground now and the Forrest Service obviously does not enforce any of their own rules(but they will take my money). I say this because there was a Forrest Service official there emptying the cash box but not saying a word to the noncompliant campers and the people driving their sleds like morons. For whatever good it will do, I will call the Forrest Service too. I suspect the only folks not calling will be the inconsiderate guys camping out and taking up more than their fair share. It's just rude. I wonder if the Albany County Sheriff has any jurisdiction and would do anything if they did?

Forest Service 307-745-2300
There is a comment form in the "contact us"section

Albany County Sheriff 307 721 2526 Danny Ponds is the Sheriff, ask for him

 

[Lonnie]

I kinda figured it was going to be like that the last 2 weeks, so I just unloaded in Tic's lot on the other side. Sure it might take me a bit longer to get to the spots I wanna ride, but I don't have to worry about any of the stuff that goes on at Albany. Now that the big 2 weeks are over, I can now start leaving from Albany again. Besides, unloading at Tic's puts me closer to the cabin for a quick shot or 2 before I go lookin for the meadows.....
I bet if a few of those people would get their rigs towed down to Laramie and put in impound for the night, and would cost these ppl. 350 bux to get their rigs back, they might have some consideration for the other people that are trying to use the same resources as they are, or they would be so pissed off they just wouldn't come back, which would leave the lot open to all that would love to park in the lot correctly and use it as a parking lot, not a campground. Not trying to be a jerk, but I do agree something needs to be done, and I don't think a parking ticket is going to be enough to discourage the terrible parking that has been occuring every Christmas and New Years. What I noticed this year was the abundance of ppl parking and chatting on the trails, and taking up almost the whole trail. If you stop on the trail, please be a little considerate and pull way over in single file fashion, it makes it so much easier for everyone else that wants to drive those trails.
Other than that, I had one heck of a couple of weeks!! Great snow in a couple of meadows I hit, but the trails did suck, with dirt showing on lots of em.... On Friday the water was just running of the cabin roof, which is not good to see at the start of January, and the lack of cold weather is just not going to do anything to kill the bark beetles....

 

[Snow Fox]

We were at Albany on the 2nd and it was just as bad. It was a joke. Apparently it's a camp ground now and the Forrest Service obviously does not enforce any of their own rules(but they will take my money). I say this because there was a Forrest Service official there emptying the cash box but not saying a word to the noncompliant campers and the people driving their sleds like morons. For whatever good it will do, I will call the Forrest Service too. I suspect the only folks not calling will be the inconsiderate guys camping out and taking up more than their fair share. It's just rude. I wonder if the Albany County Sheriff has any jurisdiction and would do anything if they did?

Forrest Service 307-745-2300
There is a comment form in the "contact us"section

Albany County Sheriff 307 721 2526 Danny Ponds is the Sheriff, ask for him

Glad to see that I am not the only one that feels this way. The Sheriff's Office and the State has jurisdiction on Forest Lands in Albany County, however they can't enforce the Forest Service Regulations. They can only enforce State Statute like Snowmobile Registration, etc. It still can't hurt to contact the Sherriff's Office along with the Forest Service. It might help to get something done. It will only get worse if we do not take any action.

 

[wyogeorge]

I will tell anybody that is listening. Anybody else parks so that the groomer cannot get out I will be on my way up there to pull what ever is in the way. I hope it is a big RV and I will cause damage. PLEASE TEST ME

 

[Ollie]

They need to put the burm back up.
This is the first time I haven't seen them put a burm up. It helps keeps people from parking all over the darn place.

On a side note.
According to the forest service personel I talked to last season, they are supposed to increase the size of the lot at albany (and create a new one at greenrock). That is why they started charging at albany was to pay for the lot construction. Not sure when that is supposed to start.

Also, we spent the last few years complaining about the grooming. Especially around the christmas/newyears time. Well, I was greatly impressed with the improvements this year. So, great job groomers.

 

[bosscat800]

Was up at Albany a couple of days before new years and it looks like the big rigs start the parking problem and then everyone else is left with little to no space. I am a local and have been for a long time and the parking is getting ridiculous. As for green rock, last time I parked, came back to a rig double parking me in and the space I left in front for the other vehicle and trailer was filled with a saturn. The guy that double parked me finally showed up and said " I did'nt think you would mind since you are from Laramie." WTF. I can only be patient for so long before some sh*t starts pissing me off!

 

[Lonnie]

On my rant about the wonderful parking at Albany, I forgot to thank the groomers for their effort to keep the trails nice for everyone this year. It's really nice to not have to deal with moguls all the way up the mountain....
Thanks again, for all your long hours just so we can have a smooth ride to our favorite play spots, it was a vast improvement from the last few years!!!

 

[wyogeorge]

Obviously If you read above, One of my best friends is doing the grooming. He is not a member of this site. I will pass on the (Good jobs) you have expressed. I will also express the burm to him.

 

[tmk50]

Thanks wyogeorge, I think the berm would solve 90% of the problems.

Or maybe some other type of barier that wouldn't be a pain for them to plow around?

Grooming is MUCH better than last year - everyone in our group noticed the improvement. If he's the beer drinking type, I'd like to buy him a beer at the lodge sometime.

 

[Speeedracer]

Sup TMK??? We're headed back up in 2 weeks! you?

 

[togwotee9]

Parked up there today, wasn't bad

 

[7lazy77]

Just another THANKS for the grooming job!

 

[Hawkeye]

A plus on the grooming, 110% better than two years ago, what is the deal on camping at Albany. Can you stay over nite? Alot were doing it last week, I'm sure the bar and restaurant love it.

 

[tmk50]

Sup TMK??? We're headed back up in 2 weeks! you?

Hey Brent - we are going to be at Steamboat Lake that weekend, starting the snow dancing now.....

 

[skidoo eater]

Their are two types of people in the sport the snowmobiling. Ones that complain about everything and ones that think things through before that.

First off complaining to the Forest Service is not going to help get rid of camping. It will close down the lot for all. Believe me, I talked to the forest service numerous times last year about their policies they were bringing into affect and the way its sounded they are just looking for a reason.

And as far as overnight parking goes, the reason for this policy is they are worried about water contamination. Not only from campers dripping gray water but from everybody.

Now the reason I say think it through before you complain, is that not every camper is a problem. The one that I own is set up for winter use (-30 F) tested by me personally. This elliminates the need to drip water to avoid freezing. This camper is also set up to sleep 10 and haul 10 sleds over a span of 75 feet. If I were to haul ten sleds up there behind half ton four door pickups with a two place, each one takes up 34 feet. That makes a total usage for 10 sleds 170 feet. More than double the space I would have used (NOT HELPING THE SPACE PROBLEM). Another thing that goes unmentioned is the money we dump into Albany Lodge. Gas alone is about $300 a day for the group, not to mention a gauranteed $50 or more a night per person at the bar. Grand total $800 a day for those that can't do the math.

I'll agree that SOME might be a problem but not all. Christmas time is always busy in that parking area that's one of the reasons we didn't go their this year. So the next time you have a complaint, do some logical thinking before making it difficult on everybody else. Thanks.

 

[Trom]

I agree with not flying off the handle and getting the Forest Service all whipped up. Keep in mind that snowmobiles are the minority and that there are large, powerful groups trying to get us kicked out of national forests all over the country.

Yes, I agree that there are always a couple of idiots that jack things up for everyone in that parking lot. And that number goes up 3 fold during x-mas.

A better course of action maybe confronting the people that make parking difficult and asking them to park so that every can get in and out easily.

 

[bish]

Our group has not been out there yet this year, but have plans on being out there three times this season. We have ten people in our group and come form the Midwest. We really enjoy coming out to that area because of how accommodating Albany Lodge is and that we are right at the trail head. We have been coming out there for a few years now and have not had any complaints about us that I know of, and we hope to keep it that way. We are all out there for the same reason, and that is to enjoy the county and the snow.

Like I said we have ten guys in the group, so we travel out there in a motor coach with a trailer behind it, and yes we park in that lot for 3 to 4 nights and then are gone for 4 to 5 weeks before coming back again. With the travel expenses now days that way of travel is the only way that we can afford to come out to your great state (and I truly mean that) and enjoy the land and your company. Every time that we park the rig we try very hard to make sure that everyone can get in and out of the parking lot without a problem. We also always park according to the sign that is posted, and buy our parking pass.

Now for someone that tries so hard to be fare to everyone else and go by the rules, I feel that it is unfair that you stereotype all of the big rigs into one category and assume that we all act the same way.

I feel that it is more reasonable to target the people that do not follow the rules and either double park, block the entrance, or don’t buy there parking pass.

A big rig takes up more space was another comment that I would like to talk about. Just think if all ten of us drove a pickup and trailer up there how much more room that would take up. We are just car pooling.

The money, lets take that a step further.

$800 a day X 3 days (a short trip) = $2400
Add in the fuel that we drop in to Laramie for the rig $900 a trip
That is $1700 a trip without the little things.
Take that times a minimum of three trips a year and your total is $5100.00

I know that this does not all go to the snowmobiling sport, but it all goes to the local business owners that are sponsoring the trail association and paying the taxes that go to that area.

So I ask that you do not put us all in the same “group” of people, as we truly do care about everyone else out there, the sport, the environment, and the local businesses.

From a guy that will always stop and see if you need help on the trail, or give a freezing kid a warm taco in the warming hut:

Thanks for reading.

 

[Ollie]

One of the reasons this is a touchy subject right now is the parking.
It has kind of been every man for himself this season. The parking on the weekend following new years was a joke. The lot was mostly full of people that had camped out. They had sleds parked all over and were taking up a lot of space that could have been used by people coming up for the day.

I had to do that zig-zaggy thing around a group of sleds that had just been left in the parking lot.

I can understand the appeal of wanting to park and stay there, however, the people doing this have to be very mindful of the day riders. If you are camped out and see someone parking sideways or leaving their sleds parked all over to "save" a spot, jump their chit. If we can police ourselves, we won't need anyone elses help.

The lot is too small. As it becomes even more popular this will become an ever increasing problem.

 

[rockdog2112]

Their are two types of people in the sport the snowmobiling. Ones that complain about everything and ones that think things through before that.

First off complaining to the Forest Service is not going to help get rid of camping. It will close down the lot for all. Believe me, I talked to the forest service numerous times last year about their policies they were bringing into affect and the way its sounded they are just looking for a reason.

And as far as overnight parking goes, the reason for this policy is they are worried about water contamination. Not only from campers dripping gray water but from everybody.

Now the reason I say think it through before you complain, is that not every camper is a problem. The one that I own is set up for winter use (-30 F) tested by me personally. This elliminates the need to drip water to avoid freezing. This camper is also set up to sleep 10 and haul 10 sleds over a span of 75 feet. If I were to haul ten sleds up there behind half ton four door pickups with a two place, each one takes up 34 feet. That makes a total usage for 10 sleds 170 feet. More than double the space I would have used (NOT HELPING THE SPACE PROBLEM). Another thing that goes unmentioned is the money we dump into Albany Lodge. Gas alone is about $300 a day for the group, not to mention a gauranteed $50 or more a night per person at the bar. Grand total $800 a day for those that can't do the math.

I'll agree that SOME might be a problem but not all. Christmas time is always busy in that parking area that's one of the reasons we didn't go their this year. So the next time you have a complaint, do some logical thinking before making it difficult on everybody else. Thanks.

Apparently there is a third kind of snowmobiler also. You know, the one that thinks through the situation and decides to do nothing because it might ruffle feathers. Which one are you exactly? I didn’t really understand your suggestion or possible solution other than to complain about the people looking for one.
I don’t believe it is complaining to ask the Forrest Department, Sheriff’s department of any other official government agency charged with a position of authority to enforce the rules and regulations they have enacted. I also don’t believe all campers are the problem. I do believe that some are very inconsiderate and don’t think about the other people wanting to use the facility such as the person on Friday with the triple axle 5th wheel, enclosed trailer and truck that took up the entire north end of the lot. It just seemed rude. The assumption that everyone taking up 5 or 6 spots (for the bargain price of $5) is accompanied by 10 or 12 sleds making it a more ”efferent” use of space is absurd. Here is some math for you to do- anybody that uses that lot doesn’t give a s**t how much money you spend anywhere. We all lay out a lot of cash to be involved in any motorsport and should expect consideration from all that use a public property. I also find it absurd to justify bad or inconsiderate parking lot behavior or not doing anything about a problem based on how much cash you spend. It comes down to being considerate and following the rules for the sake of all.
Here is my suggestion to anyone reading this whether you agree with me or not- Always pick and choose your battles carefully . Never choose not to fight one because someone might take something away from you. If you stop because of that, then they have already taken something away from you.
It is not the job of anyone using that facility to enforce it's rules. We don't have the authority. If people followed the rules, no one would have to be asked or paid to enforce them.
BTW, thanks for thinking things through for us.

Once again-Forest Service 307-745-2300
There is a comment form in the "contact us"section

Albany County Sheriff 307 721 2526 Danny Ponds is the Sheriff, ask for him