driving from laramie to west side of range?

[D squad]

Just wondering how the roads are traveling from laramie over the pass to the west side of the mountain.
Myself and buddies are headed out their over new years for the first time,wanted to try someplace diff this year.
My main quest is my friend is wondering if its a must to get new tires for his truck before we leave or are the roads pretty tame and wide or is it switchback city? his tread is getting down their and a set of new rubber runs about $900
I know it all depends on the snow but in generall was my question.
Also were staying at rendevous lodge coming from MN
Any input would be helpfull thanks.

 

[togwotee9]

Buy a new set of tires

 

[ccoleman77]

Buy the tires I-80 can be treacherous. I was up this week good snow for early!

 

[D squad]

Thanks guys thats what i Think too but also curious about after your off of I-80.How does it compare to Cooke city coming from the south or grand mesa up from grand juction
Also whats an approx time it takes ounce you turn off I-80?

 

[ccoleman77]

Saratoga is 21 mles off of the interstate. Not bad roads. Usually pretty windy but never as bad as I-80. Are you riding outside of Saratoga or are you going down toward Encampment. Where are you staying.

 

[Snowmark]

nice hot spring/motel in saratoga

 

[dcturbo]

The road from I 80 to Saratoga and Encampment are great and usually taken care of nicely. The roads up to the parking spots up the mountain are also pretty tame. Yes it depends on the snow and if your lucky you might wake up with fresh snow and will have to plow through the snow up to the parking spots. You would definitely want new tires for that. You got about 25 miles from Saratoga to the top parking spot on the Snowy Range side, and about 26 miles to the top spot in the Sierra Madres..
If you don't know the areas PLEASE be careful. Storms move in very quickly and it is very easy to get turned around. I would strongly reccomend that if the weather is bad to stay away from the upper parts of the Madres!
I seem to find at least one group of people lost and turned around. Hell I am usually lost when the weather gets that ugly.
If you have the means to get a guide for a day get a hold of Snocross338 here on snowest he is a great guide and I believe he will have access to the Madres this year also.
Have fun and Cheers
dc

 

[pullhardr]

The road from I 80 to Saratoga and Encampment are great and usually taken care of nicely. The roads up to the parking spots up the mountain are also pretty tame. Yes it depends on the snow and if your lucky you might wake up with fresh snow and will have to plow through the snow up to the parking spots. You would definitely want new tires for that. You got about 25 miles from Saratoga to the top parking spot on the Snowy Range side, and about 26 miles to the top spot in the Sierra Madres..
If you don't know the areas PLEASE be careful. Storms move in very quickly and it is very easy to get turned around. I would strongly reccomend that if the weather is bad to stay away from the upper parts of the Madres!
I seem to find at least one group of people lost and turned around. Hell I am usually lost when the weather gets that ugly.
If you have the means to get a guide for a day get a hold of Snocross338 here on snowest he is a great guide and I believe he will have access to the Madres this year also.
Have fun and Cheers
dc

I-80 to Highway 130. Highway 130 at Walcott Junction and turn LEFT. DCTURBO had a great idea calling Joe at High Altitude Excursions ( snocross338) on here. I'm sure he could tell you about the importance of AVY gear and AVY training! I would recommend taking Joe out to show you guys a great time guiding that side of the mountain.

 

[minie me]

fyi, just so you dont waste alot of time, might already know but didnt see it in the posts... you cant get from laramie to the west side in your truck on 130.

 

[Albany Mountain]

The "pass" from Laramie to Saratoga is closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed to vehicle traffic.

Thats why the snowmobilers like it so much

 

[D squad]

my mistake just looked at map were prob better off dropping down from Casper to saratoga then head to ryan park
Also how much are the guides just curious for the reason being he would know all the secret spots I would think?

 

[dcturbo]

The "pass" from Laramie to Saratoga is closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed to vehicle traffic.

Thats why the snowmobilers like it so much

So what are you saying???

 

[dcturbo]

my mistake just looked at map were prob better off dropping down from Casper to saratoga then head to ryan park
Also how much are the guides just curious for the reason being he would know all the secret spots I would think?

Yes they know the secret spots. it just cost more money It depends on your riding style and the sleds you have on where they can or will take you.
Get on snocross338 page on here and you will see all of his info. You better hurry because I know he his booking up..
Joe is well worth the money, and if you are thinking about both Mnt. Ranges to sled on he can hook you up with both..cheers
dc