GOLD CREEK / BLACKFOOT Missoula

[CATSLEDMAN1]

To test the snow I made a run to Gold creek / Mineral Mtn road 2 weeks ago to check snow conditions, 18" at unload 1st switchback on Mineral Mtn rd and took a ride out towards the lookout.

Sunday Dec 20th. The road from the Hiway up to the gravel pit was an adventure, likely couldn't get a heavy trailer there, road has been plowed once then 16" of snow fell and got rained on making it tough on a pickup with sleds on a rack. Two of us rode up through the fingers ( close to bottom of bowls ) over trail 513 to shoo fly meadows and out Mineral Mtn road in heavy steady rain........2 ft plus snow wet right to the ground.......going to be heck of a base. Shoo fly meadows is flat / creek covered, rip around no problem. Not yet boondocking up any hill, flat woods ok. tons of traction.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

snowtel site

Best looking snowtel sight in Montana is the JOKO..........? Not yet hit the top of Gold creek, but getting better. Snowed up high on 1/2. Rode Elk Meadow on 3rd so no Gold Creek report since last snow.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

Sunday Jan 11

1. Gold creek road is plowed to Gold creek meadows, so parking at the gravel pit is good, narrow one lane from there to the meadows to be cautious. But the road was getting pretty western.......good for now.


2. like most of western montan.......snow is skimpy. Good coverage on the ridge from Shoo Fly meadows to the lookout, but trail bumpy.......riding the trees along the way is good, good base.


3. Rode the West Fork and into West fork cabin.........all the big clear cuts are low on snow !! the upside is...... with the base, you can idle around anywhere with out fear.........downside you really don't want to go attacking any real steep hill, all good for exploring , not so great for playing.

4 So, riding to Seely Lake.........no problem.

5. taking off from the hiway or Gold creek road in good snow and don't need scratchers.......all good.

6. great area right now for taking a family sled ride.............was sunny and blinding bright sun Sunday...........we left Lolo pass in the crud at 11 to go ride the sun east of town.

 

[Scott]

Good report. Lolo needs to catch up to Gold Creek.