Cooke City Guides

[Crossfire Ditchbanger]

Hey guys, looking at having a group of 4 come out to cooke right after new years. We will have 1 renter and 3 relatively inexperienced mountain riders. I started looking for guides in the area but came up empty handed. We have been out to Tog once and couldn't see getting around without a guide, especially with the avy hazard as high as it is already. Any one who can point me in a direction would be awesome, or recommend places to stay? Thanks!

 

[Bocephus]

from my experience in cooke..........i dont know if there is anyone there that actually guides. if there is, i have never seen one. you would be better off planning on going with someone or meeting someone there that can show you around. it IS NOT a big area like most places you ride. there are some bad spots you, as inexperienced riders, wont want to get into......and there are avi's common in some places.

one other thing worth mentioning as far as inexperience goes.... since cooke is such a small area, the common, more novice riding areas get pissss pounded really quick. if you dont hit it soon after a recent storm, the snow will suck for you. i have only rode cooke for 3 years now, but i have been there around 15 times. it isnt the type of place that you can drive 10 miles down the trail to find untouched snow. the area is so small it just doesnt allow it. that is why i am learning to do a little more technical riding in the trees. i dreaded it for the longest time, but i go with people that drag me into the tight spots and THAT is where the good snow is when everything else is pounded down and they are in need of new snow.


the best way to sum it up is.... for the beginning/novice rider, cooke will either suck or be incredibly awesome (it just depends on when it last snowed). im not trying to sway you from going there. it is an incredible place. even the atmosphere of the little town of cooke city is something to experience.


places to stay....... i like antlers lodge and the alpine. i have only stayed at the super 8 once and the one thing i remember is they had no heaters to dry off gear/equipement. the other places have base board heaters. super 8 and alpine are usually cheapest.
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[Flatlander78]

Will be there the 2nd thru the 5th. Staying at the Super8. Could show you around for a day, its not too hard to learn as its not a big area.

 

[motodad383]

Will be there Dec. 29th to Jan. 3rd. Staying at Highcountry. Make sure you have AVY gear!

 

[Flatlander78]

I second motodad, get some gear even if you have to rent it.

 

[Crossfire Ditchbanger]

alright

we aren't that noobish that we wont have gear. We all have shovels and will rent or borrow beacons and know how to use em. Thanks for the concern tho, and the great information provided by some. We just are not comfortable going out alone yet, and when we drive 12+- hours to get somewhere we want decent riding. Sounds like Cooke isn't the type of place we are looking for.

 

[Rev Kev]

Here is a guide service in Cooke City, http://www.beartoothpowder.com/snowmobile-guiding-around-cooke-city/

We will be in Cooke Jan 6th!!

 

[Pro-8250]

we aren't that noobish that we wont have gear. We all have shovels and will rent or borrow beacons and know how to use em. Thanks for the concern tho, and the great information provided by some. We just are not comfortable going out alone yet, and when we drive 12+- hours to get somewhere we want decent riding. Sounds like Cooke isn't the type of place we are looking for.

Cooke is no different than any where else. It all comes down to snow/temp.
Bearclaw Bob at the Super 8
Bill and Kay Wittle at Antlers Lodge.
And Rick Sommmers at the Exxon know everything there is to know about your snowmobile adventures in this area.
My apologies if I screwed up on spelling anyone's names or information.

 

[motodad383]

COOKE CITY = AWESOME

Ditchbanger, Not tryin to scare you away from Cooke, It is just an area that you need to be on your toes maybe more than some other areas. Top of the World expands the area even more, just some extra trail riding to get there.
I spent 5 wks. riding in Wyoming last winter, and as fun as that was, I never got to Cooke last winter, and I missed it.
Cooke can be as wild or mild as you make it. Just make sure of your surroundings, IE don't stop and BS at the end of chute or runout.
Once you ride Cooke, you'll want to go back.
Again, we'll be there 29th to the 3rd at Highcountry , could show you around if you like.

 

[the fix-it guy]

top of the world has a lot of riding area and is not that far from cooke. If you are at the parking lot you can trailer to the road closed sign. Just be aware of fuel levels.

 

[wyosleder]

trail sticker

You will need a Wyoming trail sticker.

 

[900MTNCAT]

we aren't that noobish that we wont have gear. We all have shovels and will rent or borrow beacons and know how to use em. Thanks for the concern tho, and the great information provided by some. We just are not comfortable going out alone yet, and when we drive 12+- hours to get somewhere we want decent riding. Sounds like Cooke isn't the type of place we are looking for.

Don't sweat it, Cookes' a great place to ride, not everything is straight up and straight down, lots of hills, meadows and places to ride and play, even just off the trails.

I do recommend bringing a GPS of some sort besides the other gear, mark Daisy and LuLu Passes and the hut by Round Lake and you'll have some reference points for getting back on the trail, it's all downhill back to Cooke from those points.

Get out and explore, you'll have a ball...... just don't track it up too much, we'll be there a few days after you

 

[brantd]

Go to cooke its a good area,smaller than most yes but a great riding area without a 30 mile trail ride to get on the hill,you seem to have all the common senses,just be smart and make good decisions its no different than any other riding area,you can link up with many good people willing to show you around to get comfy.my first ever mountain riding experience was in cooke late march(hero snow)1997(16 yrs old) with a studded 96 zrt 600 121 we had noone to show us around but learned it quick,and am still
Learning it there is areas that arent heavily hit,just be willing to venture,like said carry a gps or have good backwood skills to mark the safepoint areas (daisy,lu lu,round lake)you will always get home from there,dont let people stray you away,especially those with limited mountain experience that pretend to know it all,the ones who talk just to hear themselves talk,like said many good people here with a good knowledge of cooke that will be more than willing to help you out!

 

[800poodragon]

Cooke is a great place to go. Just use your comon sense. If you can find somebody to ride with for a day all the better. A GPS helps just in case but trails are marled. Last January when we were there snowed 2 feet every day....did not have to go around any steep hills to have fun...heck we did not have to go more than three miles out of town and had fun in untouched powder all day. The weekdays always have less people to track it up...

 

[41racing]

A group of us will be there the 10th for a few days. Don't know if that helps you or not. If it does your welcome to ride with us for a day or two if you like. Where you guys coming from.