Bighorn Advice Needed! 1st timers from MN!

[CRJPilot]

Three of us headed out to the Horns for the first time in March (10-14) from MN. Looking for advice/recommendations on where to stay, and where is the best place to ride (Boondocking), not interested in trail riding!

We would like to be able to ride from where we stay, and not have to ride a half a days worth of trails to get to the steep and deep!

Is north typically better than south for snow, what is terrain like? We've been to Cooke twice, wanna try something new, how does this compare, Do you need avy beacons in March?

I've seen some names such as Bearlodge and Passage Resort, one better than the other?

Is the snow set up enough in mid march for flat land sleds with paddle tracks?

Thanks

 

[slednutz]

Big Horns is knowhere as extreme as cooke city you will not find the climbs you do in cooke but the bighorns can also be fun I have been there but I am not good with places so I won't be able to tell you where to ride or stay but it is a mellow version of cooke city. You still need avy gear because there have been avalanches there before

 

[cat rider]

The snow is much better normally on the north end of the range. As for places to stay on top of the mtn, I've had really good luck w/ both Bearlodge and Arrowhead resort. Bearlodge sometimes has a better night life. Both are within 2 or 3 miles of one another. Another place to stay is the Passage Resort.

As for the flatland sleds, I lived in Minnesota for 18 years and have rode short tracks out there in March, it really depends on the snow systems that come through though.

I'm going there tonight I'll try to post some pics later next week.

 

[Storyboy]

Bighorns

CRJPilot, I would recommend Bear Lodge or Arrowhead good riding out of either one. Passage Resort sucks don't recommend it. We are getting a bunch of snow right now. Cant wait to get up there this weekend.

 

[jlebrun_05]

If you are 21, bear lodge bar gets pretty wild at night, you only have to ride about 10 miles to get to deep stuff, and you dont have to trailer out every day. This year we took two pickups (7 people) and could have still had a few more people in the cabin easily, it was a duplex cabin i believe its called. One thing that really makes me mad is their website says free wifi- and the whole time we were there (5 nights), the internet worked like Sh*% one night, and didnt work the rest of the time. Also, It cost $1 a minute (total bs, no calling cards either) to stand behind the bar and use the bar phone, which can be pretty hard to do at 9 or 10 o clock at night when it gets loud in there. They really need to get a real phone that you can use a calling card on, preferably not behind the bar. All in all, its a great place to stay, but the internet and phone thing really pis$ed me off.

 

[Skidoox600]

I live up here and work at Bear Lodge. Last night was a hell of a storm. I would day about 1 1/2 - 2 feet fell yesterday/last night/this morning. Went riding today. AWESOME SNOW WAS FOUND! OVER WINDSHIELD DEEP IN PLACES!!!! We are packed this weekend with guest. Going to be awesome. And also We were just put under a winter storm watch for tomorrow and tomorrow night. Somewhere around another foot is possible. Going to be killer riding.

 

[jlebrun_05]

skidoox600 - is your name eric and do you work in the shop?

 

[CRJPilot]

Thanks for the info, I'll look into staying at the places mentioned.

What can I expect for conditions in Mid-March?

I know it depends on a recent storm or not, but generally speaking, is it settled up enough for short tracks with 1.7'' paddles (F7's)? Or am I crazy for even thinking of bringing it!

I know it has a lot to do with riding ability also, just wondering if I'll still be able to have fun w/o being stuck every 2min. Group of 3 or 4 with all F7's w/ 1.7" Tracks.

I hear of lots of guys twisting metal (a-arms,etc) in the horns. Are these hazards as much a threat in mid march after some settling? I paln on bringing spare parts, but do I have to ride paranoid?

 

[jlebrun_05]

well, i dont get why everyone thinks that more stuff gets broke in the horns. in every mountain range there are rocks and stumps to hit, thats a given. my group had seven people out there for five days of riding, sure we spun down and hit some rocks and stumps, but where does that not happen. never had anyone break anything luckily, but we may have left a few 2" paddles behind though. from what i have heard, they get the majority of their snow from jan to march, but you can always find deep places and not so deep places, so I would say go for it as long as you dont mind getting stuck a few times

 

[shady_65]

PM sent

 

[CRJPilot]

Good info, keep it coming!

What Alt should I set up for riding in the horns, I saw the Bear Lodge was at like 8000ft, is that lowest evel around or highest?

 

[deepsnowseeker]

set up for 7500 - 9500 generally will hit the mark. Staying at Bear Lodge has always been my best result, the owners continue to do a great job, and you can't beat big Mike's breakfast.

 

[RangerCreek]

Corine here from Ranger Creek Ranch. The snow is awesome here, the wifi works like there's not gonna be a tomorrow, phone calls are free, so is the coffee and hot cocoa. We have plenty of gas, the bar's open, our cabins are all newly refurnished and sleep 4 to 6 people each and if you don't like the crowds, we're the place to go to. Also, if you can't decide if you want to be in the northern or southern Big Horns, we're right in the middle, on P-trail that's part of the northern trail system. Check out our website: www.rangercreekranch.net and take a look at our snowcam. It updates every day.

Have fun and be safe!
Corine.

Ranger Creek Ranch
Shell, WY
www.rangercreekranch.net
(307) 272-5107

 

[X-Fire Man]

Stayed at Bearlodge last year and will probably head that way again this year. The year before I went to Cooke, my first time riding out west, and the two places sure are different! The Bighorns was still tons of fun though! We rode to the south a ways but spend most of our time far west of the lodge. Sounds like the Horns are finally getting some decent snow, just wish I was there now to enjoy it!

 

[Wyoming T/A]

bring a BIG buddy and a sno bunji

 

[mfatty]

I think bearlodge is about the worst place to stay unless you plan on getting drunk and running your mouth. Every one acts like they are the best riders and people on the hill in that joint. I would have to recomend Arrowhead.

 

[wcsar2]

The snow is building up pretty good this year on the horns, should be pretty good riding in march. You might want to check out willardsprings.com also, it is just a small place compared to the bigger lodges, but if you want to get away from the crowds it is great.

 

[RangerCreek]

I think bearlodge is about the worst place to stay unless you plan on getting drunk and running your mouth. Every one acts like they are the best riders and people on the hill in that joint. I would have to recomend Arrowhead.

How about recommending Ranger Creek? That picture pretty much says it all, that's what it looks like here as well. Had some guys in today that rode from Bear down to us this afternoon and they told us the further south you go (hey, that would be where we are!) the more snow.... tell your friends!

 

[messickzr]

Stupid question, but can you drive to Ranger Creek with a pickup and trailer?

 

[Keefro]

watch out for rocks!