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stingray719
Well-known member
Can anybody please let us know how the snow is up there this week?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Cottonwood?
- Thread starter stingray719
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stingray719
Well-known member
We drove up there last Saturday and the road looked bare so we did not stop. The link you posted says 12 inches, so is that 12 inches on little to no base or 12 inches on a good base?
Has anyone been up to Cottonwood or St. Elmo in the last couple of days? Seen the recent trail report on CSA but would appreciate a "live" report, especially off trail conditions.
Where can you park in St. Elmo? Are the summer restrictions in affect or can you park in town? Thanks.
Where can you park in St. Elmo? Are the summer restrictions in affect or can you park in town? Thanks.
Getting close to being covered everywhere
Rode there on weds. Still a little thin in places off trail. Rode all afternoon and found enough places to have fun but still need to be careful. Snow was deeper and safer the closer you got to ti cup and Taylor park. Another 1-2 feet on top of what was there on weds would make it great anywhere.
Rode there on weds. Still a little thin in places off trail. Rode all afternoon and found enough places to have fun but still need to be careful. Snow was deeper and safer the closer you got to ti cup and Taylor park. Another 1-2 feet on top of what was there on weds would make it great anywhere.
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Drewd
Well-known member
Tommy,
The first time we rode St. Elmo, I parked on a small parking lot "trail head" that was about 1/3-1/2 mile from St. Elmo town on your left side as you are driving to town.. The road past the trail head parking area was plowed and riding asphalt was fairly hard on the sleds but we didn't care because our sleds were old trail sleds. Not sure I'd want to repeat that on a '14 Pro. I guess you can drop your sleds off and park your truck and trailer at this trail head and hike it back if the road is plowed.
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The last time we rode St. Elmo we parked in town next to several other trucks with sled trailers. We got there pretty early so there was plenty of space left in town.
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If you don't mind a bit of trail riding with some prerequisite off trail fun on the way, we now ride St. Elmo by going over Cottonwood Pass into Taylor Park, topping off fuel, playing around on Mirror Lake, and then heading over Tin Cup Pass (if passable/groomed) and then hitting St. Elmo/Hancock area for fun with a return stop back at Taylor Park to refuel before going back over Cottonwood.
I assumed 10mpg fuel economy and by topping off at Taylor Park Store before heading over Tin Cup pass, it gave us a decent amount of gas to play and for reserve back over Tin Cup Pass with some side trips to view old mines/settler's ruins, great views off of Cumberland Pass, and explore other areas that I ATV during the summer.
There is a hotel or bed and breakfast that is occupied year round in St. Elmo: http://www.ghosttownguesthouse.com/reservations I briefly met Sharon one of the owners several years ago and she was very nice. I'm sure she or her husband would be willing to answer questions regarding snow fall if you contact them.
The first time we rode St. Elmo, I parked on a small parking lot "trail head" that was about 1/3-1/2 mile from St. Elmo town on your left side as you are driving to town.. The road past the trail head parking area was plowed and riding asphalt was fairly hard on the sleds but we didn't care because our sleds were old trail sleds. Not sure I'd want to repeat that on a '14 Pro. I guess you can drop your sleds off and park your truck and trailer at this trail head and hike it back if the road is plowed.
screen capture tool
The last time we rode St. Elmo we parked in town next to several other trucks with sled trailers. We got there pretty early so there was plenty of space left in town.
20mb image hosting
If you don't mind a bit of trail riding with some prerequisite off trail fun on the way, we now ride St. Elmo by going over Cottonwood Pass into Taylor Park, topping off fuel, playing around on Mirror Lake, and then heading over Tin Cup Pass (if passable/groomed) and then hitting St. Elmo/Hancock area for fun with a return stop back at Taylor Park to refuel before going back over Cottonwood.
I assumed 10mpg fuel economy and by topping off at Taylor Park Store before heading over Tin Cup pass, it gave us a decent amount of gas to play and for reserve back over Tin Cup Pass with some side trips to view old mines/settler's ruins, great views off of Cumberland Pass, and explore other areas that I ATV during the summer.
There is a hotel or bed and breakfast that is occupied year round in St. Elmo: http://www.ghosttownguesthouse.com/reservations I briefly met Sharon one of the owners several years ago and she was very nice. I'm sure she or her husband would be willing to answer questions regarding snow fall if you contact them.
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Drewd
Well-known member
Not this year. Since I now go the long way to get there, I was waiting for Cottonwood and Tin Cup Pass to get more snow.
I was going to save my first ride for Vail Pass this Tuesday but if snow is good at St. Elmo I may go out Sunday if I can find a riding buddy other than the Mrs. who won't go because she doesn't want to miss Church. She also hates St. Elmo cuz she cried when I found a really cool ungroomed trail that became very narrow and off-camber which required her to "side-hill" a very heavy trail sled for what seemed an eternity...there was no way to turn around.
<TABLE class=filter-grid style="DISPLAY: block; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(248,248,248)" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD style="WIDTH: 350px" vAlign=top> <TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=field-label style="WIDTH: 30px; WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top>Desc</TD> <TD style="WHITE-SPACE: normal">St Elmo over Tin Cup Pass. Hancock loop.</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=field-label>Status</TD> <TD class=content-text>Open</TD></TR> <TR id=ctl00_ctl00_area_trail_repeater_map_document_row_1> <TD></TD> <TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD> <TD>
</TD> <TD style="WIDTH: 250px" vAlign=top> <TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=field-label style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap">Grooming Status</TD> <TD class=content-text>Groomed</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=field-label vAlign=top>Snowfall</TD> <TD class=content-text>4.00 inches in the past 48 hours</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=field-label>Last Report</TD> <TD class=content-text>12/26/2014 1:00 PM</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=content-text style="WHITE-SPACE: normal" colSpan=2>Groomed Hancock Wednesday. Will try for Tincup East by the weekend, but too rocky to get over the top yet. Lots of powder, Lots of slide activity-very unstable-use caution</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I was going to save my first ride for Vail Pass this Tuesday but if snow is good at St. Elmo I may go out Sunday if I can find a riding buddy other than the Mrs. who won't go because she doesn't want to miss Church. She also hates St. Elmo cuz she cried when I found a really cool ungroomed trail that became very narrow and off-camber which required her to "side-hill" a very heavy trail sled for what seemed an eternity...there was no way to turn around.
<TABLE class=filter-grid style="DISPLAY: block; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(248,248,248)" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD style="WIDTH: 350px" vAlign=top> <TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=field-label style="WIDTH: 30px; WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top>Desc</TD> <TD style="WHITE-SPACE: normal">St Elmo over Tin Cup Pass. Hancock loop.</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=field-label>Status</TD> <TD class=content-text>Open</TD></TR> <TR id=ctl00_ctl00_area_trail_repeater_map_document_row_1> <TD></TD> <TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD> <TD>
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Drewd
Well-known member
Marshall Pass may be a alternative and isn't too far from Colorado Springs.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=field-label style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap">Grooming Status</TD> <TD class=content-text>not groomed</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=field-label vAlign=top>Snowfall</TD> <TD class=content-text>12.00 inches in the past 48 hours</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=field-label>Last Report</TD> <TD class=content-text>12/24/2014 12:00 PM</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=content-text style="WHITE-SPACE: normal" colSpan=2>PARKING AT GREY'S CREEK. SNOW IS THIN FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF MILES. ON TOP IT IS GETTING GOOD. 12 INCHES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I've been meaning to sled Marshall's Pass for a while but never could make it. Did camp there two times this year and rode ATVs for a week the first time but not the second camping trip due to a broken wrist. Seems like it could be a fun place if snow is good.
I would like to sled the Otto Mears "toll road" if that is allowed-anybody know it sleds are allowed?. It is not a groomed trail and it would be fun riding on fresh powder exploring old mining and ghost towns on sled. http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=326
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=field-label style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap">Grooming Status</TD> <TD class=content-text>not groomed</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=field-label vAlign=top>Snowfall</TD> <TD class=content-text>12.00 inches in the past 48 hours</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=field-label>Last Report</TD> <TD class=content-text>12/24/2014 12:00 PM</TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=content-text style="WHITE-SPACE: normal" colSpan=2>PARKING AT GREY'S CREEK. SNOW IS THIN FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF MILES. ON TOP IT IS GETTING GOOD. 12 INCHES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I've been meaning to sled Marshall's Pass for a while but never could make it. Did camp there two times this year and rode ATVs for a week the first time but not the second camping trip due to a broken wrist. Seems like it could be a fun place if snow is good.
I would like to sled the Otto Mears "toll road" if that is allowed-anybody know it sleds are allowed?. It is not a groomed trail and it would be fun riding on fresh powder exploring old mining and ghost towns on sled. http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=326
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capulin overdrive
Well-known member
Just a wild guess from going through Poncha, but thinking Cottonwood would have more snow than Marshall at the moment.
But yea, Marshall is on my list for this season.
But yea, Marshall is on my list for this season.
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capulin overdrive
Well-known member
Anybody been up recently?????????
Grooming reports are still saying a few slides here and there, but may not be updated?
Grooming reports are still saying a few slides here and there, but may not be updated?
Anyone been riding ? How is it?
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capulin overdrive
Well-known member
Was up the weekend after my last post. It was all hard pack then with very little soft anywhere, but also a-arm safe in the main areas.
Guessing if they got anything since then, it would be dust on crust?
Guessing if they got anything since then, it would be dust on crust?
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