First time at Albany with questions

[seth25]

Hey guys, the wife and I are coming from Denver, never been to the snowies, have a few questions:

We are leaving from Denver on Friday late afternoon, driving our 20' RV, pulling an open trailer. We will arrive Friday night. I know that there is a particular way to park, as to not take up too much room. Our RV is only 20', so it is about the size of a large diesel truck.

Is overnight parking allowed in the Albany lot? We are just staying on Friday night, don't need any hookups, as we are self contained. If so, what is the parking arrangement?

I understand that there is a $5/day pay to park fee at the Albany lot. Where do I pay this fee?

I understand that I need a non-resident wyoming trail pass for the sleds. Where do I buy this pass? Can I get it online? A gas station Friday night? Saturday morning?

Any additional info?


Thanks for the help!!!

 

[snowcross338]

Hey guys, the wife and I are coming from Denver, never been to the snowies, have a few questions:

We are leaving from Denver on Friday late afternoon, driving our 20' RV, pulling an open trailer. We will arrive Friday night. I know that there is a particular way to park, as to not take up too much room. Our RV is only 20', so it is about the size of a large diesel truck.

Is overnight parking allowed in the Albany lot? We are just staying on Friday night, don't need any hookups, as we are self contained. If so, what is the parking arrangement?

I understand that there is a $5/day pay to park fee at the Albany lot. Where do I pay this fee?

I understand that I need a non-resident wyoming trail pass for the sleds. Where do I buy this pass? Can I get it online? A gas station Friday night? Saturday morning?

Any additional info?


Thanks for the help!!!

Overnight, yes. can get a pass at the lodge, can get gas at thelodge, sled sticker at the lodge, $5.00 a day or $30.00 for the season. online? not sure, don't get good cell service up there.

 

[togwotee9]

Snowcross sumed it up. I'll be there Friday thur Sunday at Albany

 

[tmk50]

As mentioned - Depending on your cell phone service/provider you may be able to get online on your phone from the parking lot - but don't count on it. Cell phone service has improved up there, but it's not that great.

There is a sign in the parking lot that shows how to park, but on busy weekends it often becomes a free for all.....

You may want to call the forest service to ask about the parking, the permits go by calendar year. Last year they honored the 2008 passes during the last few weeks of 2007, hopefully they will do the same this year for the new people buying passes. If they don't, you should just go with the day passes for now and buy a pass for 2009.

 

[Ollie]

If you decide to just use the day passes, you can get the tag and pay for it at the lot. There is a sign set up with all the info as far as parking, lot fees and stuff like that.

Albany Lodge has the sled permits and gas. You can't miss it.

 

[snowcross338]

As mentioned - Depending on your cell phone service/provider you may be able to get online on your phone from the parking lot - but don't count on it. Cell phone service has improved up there, but it's not that great.

There is a sign in the parking lot that shows how to park, but on busy weekends it often becomes a free for all.....

You may want to call the forest service to ask about the parking, the permits go by calendar year. Last year they honored the 2008 passes during the last few weeks of 2007, hopefully they will do the same this year for the new people buying passes. If they don't, you should just go with the day passes for now and buy a pass for 2009.

They are honoring the 2008 passes till the end of December, talked to the forest service a couple weeks ago and new passes won't be out till right before the new year and not valid till the first of the year. Hopefully you didn't throw away last years, I only parked in the lot a couple times last year, but atleast I didn't have to worry about the fee every time I thought about going over there. I have noticed if you dial 1 and the area code with the number out of the parking lot you get better service, I know they have put up some more towers up there, but the problem is all the tree and the area is in a hole.

 

[seth25]

We didn't ride in WY last year, so I don't have a season pass from last year. I am looking at doing just a day pass for both the sleds and parking. Do they keep the lot plowed pretty good.

As far as the best way getting there from Denver pulling a trailer with a motorhome..... should I go I-25 to I-80, then 130? Or is it better to take I-25 to Fort Collins, then 287 to Laramie and 130 from there?

Thanks

 

[snowcross338]

Personally I would go I-70 to Winterpark and around Granby down through Walden and down 230 to Laramie up 130 to Albany turn off and hwy 110 to Albany. But thats just me, lots faster that way, and some sic backcountry riding on the way. Parking lot is plowed but if you get off the hard pack you will get stuck, seen many people do it in the past.

 

[tmk50]

We didn't ride in WY last year, so I don't have a season pass from last year. I am looking at doing just a day pass for both the sleds and parking. Do they keep the lot plowed pretty good.

As far as the best way getting there from Denver pulling a trailer with a motorhome..... should I go I-25 to I-80, then 130? Or is it better to take I-25 to Fort Collins, then 287 to Laramie and 130 from there?

Thanks

The fastest way that I know of is to go I-25 to Owl Canyon Road, West to 287, North To Laramie, then west on 130. (I live in north of Denver) Check the roads and wind speeds before you head out (web cams and weather stations) Once in a while I go through Cheyenne, but it's about 12-13 miles longer that way, but the speed limits are higher on 25 & 80.....

http://www.cotrip.org/

http://www.wyoroad.info/

 

[rockdog2112]

We didn't ride in WY last year, so I don't have a season pass from last year. I am looking at doing just a day pass for both the sleds and parking. Do they keep the lot plowed pretty good.

As far as the best way getting there from Denver pulling a trailer with a motorhome..... should I go I-25 to I-80, then 130? Or is it better to take I-25 to Fort Collins, then 287 to Laramie and 130 from there?

Thanks

I think your safest, fastest way(especially at night) is I-25 to I-80, then 130. It's the Snowy Range exit. It's the next exit after the 3rd Street exit. Then Highway 11 to Albany. Just my two cents worth. It's all four lane except for the last 31 or 32 miles. I'll be there breaking in my new M8. If you see me, give me a wave. Good luck.

 

[Ollie]

TMK50's route is the shortest, Rockdog2112 is the easiest.
I would check http://www.wyoroad.info/highway/roadbuddies.html
You can check video and atmospheric situations along your road route and pic the best one.

I wouldn't personally go the I-70 to walden/larimie route. The stretch from walden to laramie on Hi-230 can be a nightmare. Blowing snow and icy.

I personally run the 287 to laramie route unless the weather conditions are really bad, then I take I-80. It is better maintained in adverse conditions.

 

[pullhardr]

I think your safest, fastest way(especially at night) is I-25 to I-80, then 130. It's thvinee Snowy Range exit. It's the next exit after the 3rd Street exit. Then Highway11 to Albany. Just my two cents worth. It's all four lane except for the last 31 or 32 miles. I'll be there breaking in my new M8. If you see me, give me a wave. Good luck.

I agree, SAFEST. 287 when snowing is hard to manage with a trailer. I think we could all agree on that!

 

[snowcross338]

I agree, SAFEST. 287 when snowing is hard to manage with a trailer. I think we could all agree on that!

For sure Steve, I was just saying weather permitting, the other route is alot more fun and can be faster. It's getting crazy busy right now!!!! Keep in touch buddy, i'm moving this week.

 

[Lonnie]

If it's your first time out, take the interstate route, it's a lot easier. Just be slow and careful going down the summit. Seems as everyone else answered the other questions, so no need for me to repeat.

 

[Snow Hog]

should I go I-25 to I-80, then 130? Or is it better to take I-25 to Fort Collins, then 287 to Laramie and 130 from there?

Thanks

for the trip there, i'd take I-25 to fort collins. then 287 to laramie. jump on I-80 west and then after 1 mile, exit at the snowy range exit. then 130 west 23 miles to highway 11. left to albany. this entails less wind while climbing elevation.

on the return, go to laramie and catch 1-80 east to cheyenne (if no travel advisery). then catch I-25 south to denver. this is with the wind and you have to climb the hill anyway.

DON'T even think about the I-70 route unless you have a lot of time, gas, and maybe chains.

 

[snowcross338]

for the trip there, i'd take I-25 to fort collins. then 287 to laramie. jump on I-80 west and then after 1 mile, exit at the snowy range exit. then 130 west 23 miles to highway 11. left to albany. this entails less wind while climbing elevation.

on the return, go to laramie and catch 1-80 east to cheyenne (if no travel advisery). then catch I-25 south to denver. this is with the wind and you have to climb the hill anyway.

DON'T even think about the I-70 route unless you have a lot of time, gas, and maybe chains.

Yeah, I missed the part about the motorhome, my bad. Snow hogs idea is awesome, wind at your back, but the side wind on 287 could give ya heck if it's snowy or icy.

 

[lotsofsnow]

Does Albany lodge sell the $30 parking pass?

 

[snowcross338]

Does Albany lodge sell the $30 parking pass?

Not sure, but I know the West Laramie Fly store sells them.

 

[Meatman]

Woke up this morning to find 3 boss seats, 2 nitrous bottles, an a/f gauge, prefilters, smashed filterpods, clutch cover and belt stolen from sleds in our group. All while sleds were sitting in front of the motel.

I suggest to you guys in or on their way up to albany lodge to keep sleds in enclosed trailer at night under lock and key...if not then pull off seats at night and keep them in your room.

-Meat

 

[safesnowrider]

I wouldn't go there if someone is stealing snowmachine parts-