Anyone else going nuts in southwest CO?

[joetroop30]

I bought a brand new sled in December of 2012. After I bought it, last winter was kind of a disappointment as far as snowfall. It rained like crazy here this fall and all the old timers were saying that we were in for a huge winter. November started off good and I got a lot of good riding done in November and early December. I was thinking that this would be an awesome winter as far as snowfall goes

It hasn't snowed here more than a few inches since around December 8th or so, and everything has been steadily melting since then. There is absolutely no snow in my yard anymore. My wife made me go out and rake up the pine needles an leafs in the front yard earlier this week!! This is the driest winter I've seen in 16 years of living in CO-it's freaking crazy. A lot of the groomed trails down here aren't even rideable because there isn't enough snow.

Sorry for the rant but I wanted to see if anyone else is going as crazy as I am due to the lack of snow.

 

[m8braaaap]

I'm in the same boat! Gonna be smokey this summer.

 

[joetroop30]

Yeah this coming summer is gonna be real bad for fires. The only thing I got going for me is that the area around my house burned in the Missionary Ridge fire already. I think this winter is beyond saving. It would have to snow huge in February and March to make up for the snow we haven't gotten in the last 2 months.

The thing I can't stand is the people who are all happy that it hasn't been snowing-We live in the mountains it's supposed to snow and snow a lot!

 

[m8braaaap]

This winter is not a loss yet, problem is that there is nothing promising in the longrange forecast.i hate it!! Super bummed

 

[boondocking fool]

I am doing anything I can to make it snow, I spent the weekend washing my sleds [4] , washing the trailer inside and out , polishing the rims and armor all on the tires , never had the time to do that in january before , hope this works , sure works when I wash the p/u....................

 

[POLZIN]

Yes and Im pissed about it ! But the snow will come Eventually lets just be ready when it does. Definitley the strangest winter I can remember.

 

[joetroop30]

Definitely a very strange winter. Temps in January in the 40's and low 50's? It's supposed to be a high of 48 tomorrow. It's like spring weather in January. The only good thing is that it has gotten freezing cold at night, which is helping to preserve what little snow we have left.

Looked at Wolf Creek's snow report after I posted this today and saw their season snowfall total is 167". That has gotta be some record low snowfall total, or close, for this time of the year.

 

[m8braaaap]

Its making me drink more than usual

 

[Hillside]

Definitely a very strange winter. Temps in January in the 40's and low 50's? It's supposed to be a high of 48 tomorrow. It's like spring weather in January. The only good thing is that it has gotten freezing cold at night, which is helping to preserve what little snow we have left.

Looked at Wolf Creek's snow report after I posted this today and saw their season snowfall total is 167". That has gotta be some record low snowfall total, or close, for this time of the year.

this total hasn't changed since december 19th maybe earlier.

at least it isn't as bad as tahoe. those ski resorts haven't gotten more then 60" all year. a friend snowboarded in shorts last week 60 degrees,

but yes, the snow sucks this year

 

[doudea]

Rode up Barlow Creek today, and it is by far the worst snow I have ever rode in January. It looks like May up there. I agree that I dont think this winter can recover. It’s got me bumming. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

[Snowmaker10]

Drove from Denver to Durango the other day and yes, there is NO snow down your way. I have always heard about these great snowfalls on wolf creek pass but was extremely sad to see that there was very little snow. Pretty sad looking down that way. Plenty of snow in the state, just not in your area.

 

[OuraySledder]

I dunno guys??? I have almost 450 miles on my new sled this season. I have ridden every weekend since I bought it in mid Dec. I rode yesterday, and while it is definately getting springlike I am STILL out making fresh tracks.

Why someone would drive from Olathe to Barlow is beyond my comprehension. Barlow is iffy on GREAT days. You could have saved a ton of fuel and rode with me in Owl Creek.

 

[doudea]

I dunno guys??? I have almost 450 miles on my new sled this season. I have ridden every weekend since I bought it in mid Dec. I rode yesterday, and while it is definately getting springlike I am STILL out making fresh tracks.

Why someone would drive from Olathe to Barlow is beyond my comprehension. Barlow is iffy on GREAT days. You could have saved a ton of fuel and rode with me in Owl Creek.

Man, there is nothing worse than a lippy hippie.

Glad you have been able to ride that much, stay safe!

 

[joetroop30]

Where have been riding at that has decent snow Ouraysledder? Not trying to poach any of your secret spots, but if you don't mind giving a general direction. I don't often make it up to the Ouray area, if that's where you're from, to go snowmobiling. I know that the northern San Juan Mts. have been doing a little better for snowfall this year than the south. It's just a lot of driving, over 3 mountain passes, to get up to that neck of the woods. Not that I'm not willing to drive for better snow, I went up to Winter Park after New Years-it was the last time I got to do some powder riding.

I went up to Molas Pass on 1-17 and it was ugly looking. Lots of bare spots on the south facing slopes, and the rest of it was hard packed as can be. I'm just complaining that the areas that I usually go to close that are close to my house, which normally get great snow, are getting really thin this year.

 

[m8braaaap]

He is full of chit

 

[tudizzle]

yep no good riding...I would put the sleds away for the season..no chance of having any fun out there

 

[doudea]

By no means am I throwing in the towel. I had a blast yesterday, just wish there was more fresh out there. That’s what happens when you’re spoiled rotten, and are used to ideal conditions. We have some of the best ridding areas out our back door, living in Western Colorado. I grew up in Ridgway and took it so for granted, until I moved away for a while. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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[joetroop30]

yep no good riding...I would put the sleds away for the season..no chance of having any fun out there

I don't think anyone here has said that, I'm just saying that the conditions are far from good in southwest CO. I'll still go out no matter how much boilerplate is out there. In a normal/average year I'll have snowbanks at my house up to the eaves of my one story roof this time of the year. This year I'm raking my yard, which doesn't have a flake of snow in it. Having lived in this area of CO for 10 years I've taken it for granted that it will snow in the winter and snow often. This year is an anomaly-I hope.

I know the conditions north of I-70 are much better than they are where I live. I wish I could drive up there more often, but it aint' gonna happen. I enjoy riding no matter what the conditions, but it's a hell of a lot more fun riding in powder!

 

[POLZIN]

yep no good riding...I would put the sleds away for the season..no chance of having any fun out there

funny I haven't seen much of you down this way lately

 

[tudizzle]

Cause I am chasing snow!

Not sitting waiting for it to be delivered to my front door.


There is good snow just maybe not in your normal spot. I love it enough to put the time and effort into finding it and have been rewarded greatly for it.

This has been the best winter in years for powder days. Not the best for SOCO...but thats what trucks and trailers are for.