Does anyone have any info on trail conditions in grand lake and going up? Have a trip planned for the 2nd week of February. And is there a trail going to Gould? planning on heading that way on Friday of our trip and if there is, about where do you turn off form the Grand lake trail system? Am familer with Grand Lake trails.
Grand lake Trails?
- Thread starter jsnow17
- Start date
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Raginhemi
Member
I went up to Grand Lake last Friday and the trail conditions were perfect. The trails were groomed and NO BUMPS! This is the first time in the history of going to Grand Lake that I didn't get beat to death. Gravel Mountain was hardly touched and we did plenty of hill climbs. I couldn't get over the top of the mountain. I did try many times. I came within 5 feet and my sled started to veer downhill. I thought about cutting, which I should have, but I had a big cornice staring at me. Adam Perau used my sled and finally got to the top. He tried a few times as well. The snow was very soft. I guess I need more practice cutting in the side of the mountain when I get near the top. My bucking bronco was all over the place. Oh well, I did have fun.
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BackCountryBob
Well-known member
We were there last Friday as well. Checked out the recent avy on
Gravel, doug a pit, found 2' fresh on top of 1" ice on top of 2-3' of sugar.
We passed---you are one lucky guy, you should have bought a lottery ticket.
With all the talk about avys on this 4M and the CAIC reporting "considerable avalanche" you certainly temped fate.
As far as the trail to Gould is concerned, mogules all the way as this trail is never groomed. Check out coloradosledcity.com and click on Grand Lake.
The trail system map is printable.
BCB
Gravel, doug a pit, found 2' fresh on top of 1" ice on top of 2-3' of sugar.
We passed---you are one lucky guy, you should have bought a lottery ticket.
With all the talk about avys on this 4M and the CAIC reporting "considerable avalanche" you certainly temped fate.
As far as the trail to Gould is concerned, mogules all the way as this trail is never groomed. Check out coloradosledcity.com and click on Grand Lake.
The trail system map is printable.
BCB
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BackCountryBob
Well-known member
It is about 3/4 mile from SR125 on Stillwater Pass Rd. They have basically removed it from the map but if you look very carefully you will see Trout Creek that goes north/south from Stillwater Pass Rd, then a dotted line that goes towards Gould. Whats so great about Gould?
Gravel has slid twice this season, hard to tell about February but not for me. Same goes for Vail. Rababit Ears is probably your best bet for a safe ride although there are some 30* slopes there as well.
BCB
Gravel has slid twice this season, hard to tell about February but not for me. Same goes for Vail. Rababit Ears is probably your best bet for a safe ride although there are some 30* slopes there as well.
BCB
Just thought we would head up that way for lunch, just for somthing different.
It's disappointing that gravel is so dangerous, The gruop I hooked up with has been going to W. Yellowstone the past years and I finally talked them in to trying Colorado at Grand Lake.
Would you recommend staying on the system only? It's been about 5 years since I was out there but I just don't remember alot of off trail riding that was less then 30*
It's disappointing that gravel is so dangerous, The gruop I hooked up with has been going to W. Yellowstone the past years and I finally talked them in to trying Colorado at Grand Lake.
Would you recommend staying on the system only? It's been about 5 years since I was out there but I just don't remember alot of off trail riding that was less then 30*
X2
Seriously man, Gravel Mtn is going to be bad all year EXCEPT for the slide spot that just touched off. It's the only portion that has late season potential to be ok.
Jsnow17, heed this post to be your warning. The Snow this year started off as bad as it could have for a base. Got about 2 feet of "teflon snow", then a windblown, sun-baked shell......then lots of good snow on top. Unfortunatley the bad snow is now protected for the season...the more snow we get, the greater the chance of a large slab avalanch.
The avys that have been touching off have been Deep Slabs, fracturing all the way to bare ground. These avys are harder to trigger (as proven with raginhemi's bonehead move) but when they go they are B-Bad.
If you're going to climb stuff this year, hit the southern facing hills....
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Raginhemi
Member
I guess me and the ten other guys climbing all over gravel mountain were boneheads that day. I did sit back and examine the hill when other people were climbing it. I didn't see any cracks or signs of potential slides. But, I did not do the shovel test. My partners had beacons, poles and shovels. We tested the beacons before we left the parking lot. I am not saying that this gear is going to save us, but we were prepared.
I have been on Gravel Mountain many times over the past 10 years. I have yet to see or be in a slide. I read all the posts and frequent the Colorado Avalanche Information Center's website. I consider myself a safe rider. I don't go out of my way to be foolish. So, I must be doing something right because I am still here.
I have been on Gravel Mountain many times over the past 10 years. I have yet to see or be in a slide. I read all the posts and frequent the Colorado Avalanche Information Center's website. I consider myself a safe rider. I don't go out of my way to be foolish. So, I must be doing something right because I am still here.
Are you kidding me? I've ridden Gravel the last 10+ years as well and although I've never actually seen it slide, I've seen the evidence of a slide lots of times. Super Chicken and Upper Gravel slide at least once or twice a year.
I agree with the above evaluation of Gravel this season, it's gonna slide soon, and it's gonna be bad, the cornice is getting huge. I thought this past weekend (1/17) was when it would happen, but it did not let go. So my next prediction is this coming weekend. Beware and be careful!
I saw Superchicken Slide when I was up there for New Years last year and also saw the guy get buried and Some Snowesters dig the guy out. It sure made me think twice about climbing it or Gravel especially with the year we are having. An ouce of "caution" is worth more that 1000 beacons, probes, shovels and ABS Packs. I dont want to ruin my familys life and make my friends have to drag my dead body out.
An ouce of "caution" is worth more that 1000 beacons, probes, shovels and ABS Packs. I dont want to ruin my familys life and make my friends have to drag my dead body out.
Boston WELL PUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boston WELL PUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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BackCountryBob
Well-known member
I was corrected. The trail to Gould has been groomed--so things are looking up at Grand Lake
BCB
BCB
How are the snow conditions in Grand Lake right now. Any tips for a first timer to Grand Lake, CO (good spots to ride)? I'm leaving MN Friday evening and driving out, can't wait!
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BackCountryBob
Well-known member
Snotel sites in the neighborhood report 10-14" new in the past 2 days. Ride the trails, look for an open spot and go for it. I am suspicious of Gravel Mtn and would not hit it--even with beacons and probes. You should be hitting it pretty good now. Go to coloradosledcity.com for the groomer's snow report.
BCB
BCB
If its your first time you will have a great time, Its to bad gravel is unstable, it's ablast but from what I hear dangerous at this time. Is there any guys from MN. Dakotas or WI going to Grand Lake the 2nd week of February if so let me know. There are 6 of us from Northern Iowa that are going to Grand Lake this year instead of Island Park. It will be the first time for 5 of them. I was able to talk them in going to CO. instead of IP, what a bummer if we can't ride Gravel but no extreme chances.
Thanks for the link and the heads up on Gravel. For those of you who have been to Cooke City Round Lake area, is the terrain the same as Grand Lake?
Island Park was awesome last year. We hit it with 3' of fresh - best riding conditions I've seen to date.
Island Park was awesome last year. We hit it with 3' of fresh - best riding conditions I've seen to date.
