debating a late season run to the snowies... help!?!?!

[bonz50]

me and a couple buds are thinkin about doin a late season run out there and were wonderin if :

a. someone could tell a bunch of flatlanders on 136-144 sleds where to stay...
b. how late is too late to schedule the trip (we're thinkin first or second weekend in April
c. would someone be willing to meet up with us and show us the ropes of the area cuz we've never been there???

thanks guys!!!

 

[slednutz]

I have rode the snowies may 14th in a blizzard with 2 feet of fresh snow. This year you will easily be able to sled right outta greenrock parking area. Your best bet would be snowy mountain lodge on the mountain or centennial a couple miles before greenrock parking area or you could stay on the albany side

 

[Ollie]

2nd week of april should be no problem.
I would hesitate about the 2nd week of june, but I may make it this year.

 

[bonz50]

cool, thanks guys... if I can get things firmed up anyone wanna join us??? I may be pickin up new iron on the way out... the old pro-x 136 may hafta go... haven't decided about trading or parting it out... got a lotta nice parts that would go away nicely (like the boss seat and etc.)

 

[Spaarky]

We always like to stay in Centennial, the Old Corral, if I remember right. Pretty nice and they have a hot tub too. Is it the best option, I dont know. There is also a bunch of people that rent houses up there too. We have always wanted to explore that option.

April, you'll probally have a blast. Some of the best snows we have rode in came late in the year. Could be hero snow, and could be phenomonal.

 

[bonz50]

We always like to stay in Centennial, the Old Corral, if I remember right. Pretty nice and they have a hot tub too. Is it the best option, I dont know. There is also a bunch of people that rent houses up there too. We have always wanted to explore that option.

April, you'll probally have a blast. Some of the best snows we have rode in came late in the year. Could be hero snow, and could be phenomonal.

i'm fine with hero snow, most of us are running 136's, longest sleds that'll be there are likely gonna be 144's... plus add to that most of the guys are first time powder riders, depending on who all comes with... still, with most of us being first timers (not all) there are things we wanna avoid, like some of the steeper avi prone areas, don't even wanna be close to 'em... so I'm hopin we can locate either someone from here or a local to hook with to at least give us a quick rundown on places to stay away from...

 

[Spaarky]

The trail map is a good start, most of the typical avalanche areas are marked. If you cant find a do gooder to help you out, call Chris @ Mnt. Meadow cabins. I have heard he is a really good guide, if you want to go that route...

 

[Woof]

I have had some of my best all time rides in early May at the Snowy Range, mid-April will be fine riding.

 

[FIII_Mtn]

Late season riding is great. I always get a laugh when I see how empty the parking areas are come mid april. Mid April, Mid May, Mid June... it's all good to me.

 

[bonz50]

The trail map is a good start, most of the typical avalanche areas are marked. If you cant find a do gooder to help you out, call Chris @ Mnt. Meadow cabins. I have heard he is a really good guide, if you want to go that route...

is there anywhere online I can find that???

 

[tmk50]

is there anywhere online I can find that???

http://wyotrails.state.wy.us/snow/srmap.htm

 

[bonz50]

thanks TMK

 

[Spaarky]

You may have mentioned, this, but I take it you havent been there before???

 

[bonz50]

I haven't, no.... but a couple of the guys that ~might~ be coming have been...

 

[Spaarky]

k... I am kind of a worry wart, but to me the biggest thing to watch there is the wind. You can some what easliy get hung out to dry, @ Green Rock. You go across Libby Flats and it is wide open.... Also on the back side, I believe it is NO trail, when you go across the top, it can be nasty.

I have been up there a couple times and wondered if we were gonna stay the night. Riding and you cant see the taillight of the guy 10' in front of you. Part of the problem was we were low on fuel though too... We didnt have a lot of option to turn around...

Just a little tip....

 

[bonz50]

ya, i expect most of our days will be filled with searching out big meadows and stuff to play in, maybe a couple shots at some smaller hills, no intention of being out long enough to be back after dark... some of us might be first time pow riders, most of us have some good experience riding the deep off-trail in da UP (i kno it's not gonna quite compare, but....) right now it looks like i've got about 5-6 guys interested in makin the pull, we'll stay at the snowy lodge more than likely which looks like its right down from the green rock parking area a couple miles at most... we're all a bit cautious on thing so if it even remotely LOOKS like weather could turn we'd head back...

thanks for the tip, i'll keep that in mind if we make it...

 

[Squirrelchaser]

stay at mountain meadow cabins. have stayed there for the last 5years. usually go end of december and last week of march. ridding is always good alot of times great. chris has taken our group out every time we go out. knows the area very well. has always been good to us when we have had problems, ( use of barn ofter hitting trees 3 years in a row), not going march this year going to ALPINE first time. MMC phone number is 1307 742 6042

 

[Squirrelchaser]

forgot to say chris has pictures in his office of him and friends ridding on the 4th of july. any time in april will be good, some people think because it is close to spring the snow melted.

 

[skidooer1]

if you want to find meadows, the northwest and west side are really fun.dropping in behind lake marie is the quickest route there.or you can get there by trails if you want to stay off the hills.my advice is to wear beacons,carry good shovels,probes and know how to use them.btw check out wintercreekcondos.com for a top notch place to stay. matt

 

[jafraune]

k... I am kind of a worry wart, but to me the biggest thing to watch there is the wind. You can some what easliy get hung out to dry, @ Green Rock. You go across Libby Flats and it is wide open.... Also on the back side, I believe it is NO trail, when you go across the top, it can be nasty.

I have been up there a couple times and wondered if we were gonna stay the night. Riding and you cant see the taillight of the guy 10' in front of you. Part of the problem was we were low on fuel though too... We didnt have a lot of option to turn around...

Just a little tip....

I am going to second that about the winds....I was out there last january in the beginning and they got a huge snow storm and the winds were picking up fast!!! We had to cross the libby flats and I was leading. I ended up getting off trail and stuck and the guys behind me didnt even see me stuck and I was right in front of them....no more than 20 yards. It can get really nasty there so be careful. I always like to keep observations I make as check points in my head (in a new area) so I can realize where I am. The Front side of the mountains has some smaller climbing spots that should be perfect for your group. I also stayed at albany lodge and that was really nice...bar, food, good rooms etc......the only problem is, is that it is 15 miles away from the good stuff. If you dont mind trail riding to get there it is good. I am sure it will be a blast when you go out there....Have Fun....