Gas situation out of Albany, will this work?

[CRJPilot]

Headed to Snowies next week for the 1st time, riding out of Albany, wondering what other riders do for fuel strategy. Is it practical or worth riding the 15-20miles north to the higher elevation (towards widowmaker). Understand there is nowhere to get gas up that way, just dont want to use all my fuel just to get there and have to turn around again. We are all on Cat 800 H.O.'s, will we have the range to enjoy the northern parts, riding form Albany? How far from the higher elevations, up that way is fuel on the west side?

I had an idea, wondering if it sounds practical or anyone else try it. I was thinking of strapping a 6 gal can onto the back of my sled, and then riding north on the trail out of Albany, stopping 12- 15 miles out, then topping everyone (4 of us) off with fuel and ditching the empty can, & pick it back up on the way home. At least we'd be starting out in the high elevation witha full tank! Otherwise we chewing 4gal out of 12 just riding the trail. Comments, suggestions, criticism's???????

 

[newmy1]

We ride out of Albany to the top, ride and get back in a day with Ski Doo's but it's tight. If you can carry extra gas to the top do it....TML is closed so no fuel up there.

 

[dansyl159]

Sounds pretty well thought out. 15 miles out puts you close to the Nelson Park warming hut, full tanks out of there gives you easy access to Widow, etc with enough reserve to get you back. If I get by your sig, that you're a jet pilot you know all about reserves.

 

[jester18]

1/2 hr in a truck driving to greenrock vs snowmobiling trails and burning gas.

Maybe the day you want go to widow maker take the truck to greenrock?

 

[ryno44]

Your going to want to something for fuel. Sucks to not play at the end of the day because you need to get home. Carry the one can...or each guy carry a 2 gallon can. Either way, carry extra.

 

[sclwald]

I would have to agree with Jester. If you are coming out for multiple days, just pick a day, load them up and drive to Greenrock. Unload there and ride till your hearts content. Then load them back up and drive around. As a local I can't stand that ride and trail over the top. The only problem you will have after that is you will want to truck them to greenrock the rest of your trip. Much better riding.

 

[CRJPilot]

I would have to agree with Jester. If you are coming out for multiple days, just pick a day, load them up and drive to Greenrock. Unload there and ride till your hearts content. Then load them back up and drive around. As a local I can't stand that ride and trail over the top. The only problem you will have after that is you will want to truck them to greenrock the rest of your trip. Much better riding.

Thanks for the advice, only problem is two of the guys were are riding with are renting this year. So its just easier to ride out of Albany, but we do want to make it up toward Widow to see what all the buzz is about. Just curious what exactly makes that trail ride over the top such a pain in the azz, the fuel situation? How many miles from Albany is Widow, is it all trail? Do we have to cross the infamous zero visibility libby flats?

For the 4 of us, Im planning 2 guys with 2gal can, me with a 5gal to ditch 12-15 miles out.

Where is the closest gas to that whole northern play area, would Ryan Pass be closer than Albany once we are up there, to top back off if we got too low to get back to Albany?

 

[CRJPilot]

We ride out of Albany to the top, ride and get back in a day with Ski Doo's but it's tight. If you can carry extra gas to the top do it....TML is closed so no fuel up there.

Skidoo what? 600/800 E-tech's or Powertek?

 

[Ritfire73]

Skidoo what? 600/800 E-tech's or Powertek?

Newmy rides a P-Tec. And your idea to gas stashing will work, Just dont forget which tree it is behind.

 

[newmy1]

Newmy rides a P-Tec. And your idea to gas stashing will work, Just dont forget which tree it is behind.

I'm easy on the throttle though

 

[CRJPilot]

I'm easy on the throttle though

Until you get up to the top? or all day?

Thanks guys for all your help!

Does the forecast and current conditions at Albany give any idea of what to expect up near Widow, want to pick good days to go there I guess!

 

[togwotee9]

Newmy rides a P-Tec. And your idea to gas stashing will work, Just dont forget which tree it is behind.

Pretty sure that P-tek rode Newmy last time

 

[sclwald]

Thanks for the advice, only problem is two of the guys were are riding with are renting this year. So its just easier to ride out of Albany, but we do want to make it up toward Widow to see what all the buzz is about. Just curious what exactly makes that trail ride over the top such a pain in the azz, the fuel situation? How many miles from Albany is Widow, is it all trail? Do we have to cross the infamous zero visibility libby flats?

For the 4 of us, Im planning 2 guys with 2gal can, me with a 5gal to ditch 12-15 miles out.

Where is the closest gas to that whole northern play area, would Ryan Pass be closer than Albany once we are up there, to top back off if we got too low to get back to Albany?

You have to come right over Libby. Depending on how well you know the area you can get there pretty fast from Libby. If you do not know where you are going then it could take you awhile. The trails are not bad. I am just not a trail riding guy. And to come out of Albany all the way over to the highway is quite a ride.

I don't think you would benifit going to Ryans park for gas to top off. You would have to stick with your origional plans of stashing it behind a tree.

 

[Ritfire73]

Pretty sure that P-tek rode Newmy last time

Guess I should of stated that a little differently. Maybe to read like this...

Newmy has a P-Tec that he occasionally sits on......... and sometimes it rides him.

 

[newmy1]

 

[tmk50]

Snow conditions are the wildcard - but it sounds like you guys are preparing for the situation where you would use the most fuel.

The trail ride isn't that bad - there are a ton of parks to play in right off that trail - and there are a few cuts through the trees that you can take here and there. If you can make it work - do this ride to the top of the mountain during the week. On the weekends those areas are pretty popular.

How many days are you riding out of Albany? You will probably want to hit different areas each day - generally you want to ride North and West to find the best snow, but after a good storm the stuff to the south & west can be good too.

If you are up there for a full week you should consider heading to the lodges on the west side one day for lunch/gas as you mentioned. It is a long ride - but you get to cover a lot of ground and can make a loop of it so you don't have to ride the same route to/from.

 

[togwotee9]

I hope I'm not going to get another note from a mod for picking on you.

 

[Ritfire73]

I hope I'm not going to get another note from a mod for picking on you.

Im sure Newmy isnt flooding their E-Mail.... WAIT! What??

 

[CatWoman]

Im sure Newmy isnt flooding their E-Mail.... WAIT! What??

Are you sure about that?!

 

[CRJPilot]

Snow conditions are the wildcard - but it sounds like you guys are preparing for the situation where you would use the most fuel.

The trail ride isn't that bad - there are a ton of parks to play in right off that trail - and there are a few cuts through the trees that you can take here and there. If you can make it work - do this ride to the top of the mountain during the week. On the weekends those areas are pretty popular.

How many days are you riding out of Albany? You will probably want to hit different areas each day - generally you want to ride North and West to find the best snow, but after a good storm the stuff to the south & west can be good too.

If you are up there for a full week you should consider heading to the lodges on the west side one day for lunch/gas as you mentioned. It is a long ride - but you get to cover a lot of ground and can make a loop of it so you don't have to ride the same route to/from.

We are arriving late sunday night (3/13) and plan on riding mon-fri and leaving sat morning (3/19). So, yes, all mid-week riding!

I guess we'll keep an eye on the weather and hope for a bluebird to head up to the top.

How many miles up to the highway by trail from Albany? How many further to Widow? How far from Ryan Park lodges to Albany? 1st time to the snowies, but wanna take it all in, so we can decide for next time what/where we liked.

Thanks for all your help!

If there are some locals or another small group that would like to show us around (or keep us out of trouble for a day or two) while we're there, let me know. So far 3 or 4 us riding 2011 M8's and XF8 SP 141's w/2.25".