Best bet for the first week of April in northern ID?

[bhrider]

Going to be coming out west from minnesota for the first week of April. Never been to northern ID. Heard good things about priest lake area. What do you guys think is the best bet as far as snow and terrain during that time? Any info is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[dustball27]

Priest Lake is a great place to ride and I've put about a thousand miles there this year. Do you like trail riding or off trail mountain riding? Let me know and I will point you in a good direction. There are some other good areas near Sandpoint as well for off trail stuff, like Trestle creek and Roman Nose.

 

[bhrider]

Looking for off trail mountain riding. We don't like to be on the trail too long

 

[dustball27]

Echo Bowl on the east side of Priest Lake has some great elevations which would be good for an April ride. (There are lots of "Echo bowl Priest Lake" videos on You Tube). The Lost Peak area, also on the east side of the lake is not quite as high up (around 5,000 ft.) but also has some great riding and has a natural bowl as well. Tony the owner of Sundance Mt. Lodge is an expert on the area and is a super nice guy and a great resource for riding areas.

Two more places in the area as mentioned before are Trestle Creek and Roman Nose, I have never been there, but have heard good things.

I would check out the Echo bowl vids. Trail maps with directions to Echo bowl are available at the Leonard Paul store (208-443-2463) and other places in Coolin Idaho.

 

[motojunkie101]

You are going to find a few miles of trail everywhere, but I vote for trestle or priest lake. Roman nose is fun, but you don't have as much area to ride.

Sent from my Commando

 

[Environmentalist]

Trestle and Priest are great places to ride! Rode Trestle on Saturday. Plenty of coverage, but spring hit it pretty hard last week. Hard snow on the south slopes and chunky mash potatoes on the north slopes. Start hoping for some cooler temps and new snow.

 

[sundancemtlodge]

3 / 18/ 2013

Snowing to day the cold temp from the north has blessed us. The riding is great up top. A little skimpy down low. Park at the top of the hill of the lodge and ride up the lost creek drainage. Anybody can call me 425-417-5252 Tony

 

[bhrider]

Is trestle just an area by priest lake? Never been out there. What's a good place to find places to stay, maps, snotel? Thanks for all the info so far!

 

[dustball27]

Yes Trestle Creek is an area about an hour south of Priest Lake, near Sandpoint Idaho, not connected to the Priest Lake trail system.

The last poster, Tony runs Sundance Mountain Lodge at Priest Lake where you can stay and ride from and is an expert on the area. I suggest you call him.

 

[Environmentalist]

Trestle isn't really like Priest. Priest has a great groomed and mapped trail system and has great places to play. Plenty of good lodging and places to eat. Just a really cool place to go.....the area really caters to sledders.

Trestle is an area East of Sandpoint...I've never seen a map, the closest place to stay/eat is in Sandpoint (15 miles). Truthfully, the only way to truly see the place is hooking up with someone that knows the area...I think it has the best tree riding in N. Idaho.

Here is the Snotel site that's East of the parking lot. http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=323&state=id

Use Google Earth, follow Hwy 200 East, once your close to the lake, there is left a turn (North). The road is Trestle Creek Road. The parking lot is around 4 miles.

 

[one wheeler peeler]

anyone ride priest or trestle easter weekend?

I just moved to Spokane from Alaska. I will be headed out for my first ride this winter 2nd week of April. I guess depending on the snow...it could be my only ride this season. I have never ridden outside of AK but it sounds like priest, trestle, roman nose...are the place to go for off trail riding? I will be with a buddy, were both on 136's. Any off trail reports? Looking for powder!

 

[dustball27]

Sorry to say that there is no more powder left in North Idaho, it's too warm. Even at 7,000 ft. which is near the highest elevation you can ride the highs during the day are in the 40's. Unless we get a cold snap with some snow then it will just be spring snow conditions. Have fun anyway...

You can check the NOAA website and type in Coolin, Idaho or Nordman, Idaho (both at Priest Lake) and click on the map to move the green square to different elevations and it will show you the weather up high.

 

[one wheeler peeler]

I figured that might be the case....It will be still be good to get back on the sled. Does anyone know if there is at least snow coverage from all of the trail head's for Priest Lake?

 

[Environmentalist]

I just moved to Spokane from Alaska. I will be headed out for my first ride this winter 2nd week of April. I guess depending on the snow...it could be my only ride this season. I have never ridden outside of AK but it sounds like priest, trestle, roman nose...are the place to go for off trail riding? I will be with a buddy, were both on 136's. Any off trail reports? Looking for powder!

There was POW a couple weeks ago....that now has turned to mashed potatoes! Don't forget places to the east of CDA. Burke and Lookout area are also great places to play. You will probably have to ride some dirt to get to the snow.

 

[dustball27]

At Priest you will have to drive up the forest service road to reach the snow. I am not sure how far but you can contact Tony at Sundance Mt. lodge and he will let you know. His # is listed in this tread above.

 

[one wheeler peeler]

I will definitely give Tony a call. I might even call some of the CDA snowmobile dealers and ask questions. I am out of country now but will be back in a week. I have ever been to any of these areas so at the very least, I can get a feel for the area and hit it hard next year. Thanks for the tips...

 

[TIM]

priest 3-31-2013. you should be able to ride thru april.

 

[one wheeler peeler]

Sweet! Sleds are loaded and I'm headed out in the morning. Can't wait to check this place out. Great shot by the way.

 

[Environmentalist]

Cool! Post pictures......that's the rules around here.

 

[TIM]