We are heading up this Thursday for 4 days. Anyone been up there lately? Any locals have any weather forecasts????
Grand Mesa Updates?
- Thread starter Mrs Snowrider
- Start date
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BackCountryBob
Well-known member
Weds, 40% chance of snow, 30* temp, Thurs partly cloudy in the 30s. This according to the weather gods at NOAA.
Let's hope it dumps on Wednesday!
Are you sure you guys want to head up so late on Thursday morning?? If we all leave around 5 - we can be riding by 11:00. Not 2!
Are you sure you guys want to head up so late on Thursday morning?? If we all leave around 5 - we can be riding by 11:00. Not 2!
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BackCountryBob
Well-known member
40% chance of snow on Thurs----CRWS predicting jet stream directly over the state.
Can't go sooner--too much sled exchanging to do so we'll be there about noon.
Have fun on the only avy slopes on the Mesa
Can't go sooner--too much sled exchanging to do so we'll be there about noon.
Have fun on the only avy slopes on the Mesa
Snow (what of it there is) is either rock hard or depth hoar all the way down to the ground. Rocks visible and invisible abound. The wind is blowing 40 MPH all the time, and fog and loose snow crystals take visibility to zero. On top of that, the light is flatter'n a pancake. There's slush on the lakes and the creeks are running under the snow, booby trapping sleds and riders. Always.
When were you up there last? GM Lodge said it was snowing like the dickens this weekend, snow is awesome. Ken does the grooming, said it is great. I am confused. . . snotel sites have deep snow still.
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BackCountryBob
Well-known member
I think 03RMK is pulling our chain---if he is NOT, I will apologise to him after we get back.
---if he is NOT, I will apologise to him after we get back.
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Spike38
Well-known member
Grand Mesa
Me and the wife just returned. Conditions where excellent. The weather on Monday was not all that great. Sun was shining as we left this morning. The wife had to threaten me with a cast iron skillet beating to get me to leave. I told her the truck would not start but the sleds started just fine. She said you couldn't have tried to hard as the keys are in my purse. She won we are home and had a great time. Many thanks to Ken and Connie at Grand Mesa Lodge
Me and the wife just returned. Conditions where excellent. The weather on Monday was not all that great. Sun was shining as we left this morning. The wife had to threaten me with a cast iron skillet beating to get me to leave. I told her the truck would not start but the sleds started just fine. She said you couldn't have tried to hard as the keys are in my purse. She won we are home and had a great time. Many thanks to Ken and Connie at Grand Mesa Lodgeno snow here?
snow predicted everyday till next tues....
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Wednesday: Snow likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 33. West northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. West northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Thursday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 19. Breezy, with a west northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 27.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8.
Saturday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
Saturday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Sunday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 30.
Sunday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 13.
Monday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 25.
Monday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.
happy valley------------->
ray
snow predicted everyday till next tues....
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Wednesday: Snow likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 33. West northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. West northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Thursday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 19. Breezy, with a west northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 27.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8.
Saturday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
Saturday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Sunday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 30.
Sunday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 13.
Monday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 25.
Monday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.
happy valley------------->
ray
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BackCountryBob
Well-known member
Thanks guys for the reports---and I lilke Happy Valley, I really like Happy Valley.
Just a little paranoid about avys
Just a little paranoid about avys
We always called it Hidden Valley, but it does make me very happy
. It is my favorite place on the Mesa! We will have to watch the avy danger in there since it is going to snow EVERY DAY there! Woo Hoo.
party party party party! Bob, I think the total is 28 of us going up there! I have the Captain, the Crowne, and martini stuff ready to go!
. It is my favorite place on the Mesa! We will have to watch the avy danger in there since it is going to snow EVERY DAY there! Woo Hoo. party party party party! Bob, I think the total is 28 of us going up there! I have the Captain, the Crowne, and martini stuff ready to go!
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SSWIM
Well-known member
We always called it Hidden Valley, but it does make me very happy
party party party party! Bob, I think the total is 28 of us going up there! I have the Captain, the Crowne, and martini stuff ready to go!
There is a Hidden Valley. It is different from Happy Valley. Hidden Valley is north of Happy Valley.
Sam
Grand Mesa
ya, I was kidding about most of my post, didn't mean to concern any one and get frowny faces. Need to work on my writing so the humor is more obvious, I guess. But do watch for slush, bear holes and creeks.
On a more serious note, the parking situation is really getting bad. Lots of room up on top but Carp is a mess. Last weekend, two large rigs took up the entire south parking area while more than a third of the north area was still open and usable by that size of rig. It caused cars, singles and numerous small rigs to park on the north side, instead of the south side which is more suited for small outfits. They messed up parking for a lot of people.
Not that the cars and single rigs are blameless, seems to be getting more and more common to park a car on the north side and leave it for days.
Anyway, have fun.
ya, I was kidding about most of my post, didn't mean to concern any one and get frowny faces. Need to work on my writing so the humor is more obvious, I guess. But do watch for slush, bear holes and creeks.
On a more serious note, the parking situation is really getting bad. Lots of room up on top but Carp is a mess. Last weekend, two large rigs took up the entire south parking area while more than a third of the north area was still open and usable by that size of rig. It caused cars, singles and numerous small rigs to park on the north side, instead of the south side which is more suited for small outfits. They messed up parking for a lot of people.
Not that the cars and single rigs are blameless, seems to be getting more and more common to park a car on the north side and leave it for days.
Anyway, have fun.
Be Careful!
We're at the point where more of the avy danger is going to switch to the South facing slopes....they already have several layers of suncrust/snow/suncrust/snow. Of course this doesn't mean you can go apesh*t on the north slopes, but they will probably be a bit more solid. Hidden or Happy = be careful. Make sure you check the CAIC conditions before you go. http://avalanche.state.co.us/Forecasts/Grand+Mesa
We're at the point where more of the avy danger is going to switch to the South facing slopes....they already have several layers of suncrust/snow/suncrust/snow. Of course this doesn't mean you can go apesh*t on the north slopes, but they will probably be a bit more solid. Hidden or Happy = be careful. Make sure you check the CAIC conditions before you go. http://avalanche.state.co.us/Forecasts/Grand+Mesa
thanks ryan, for the avy info......
happy or hidden please be careful...........and post pics.
we'll be riding up there monday-fri of next week so don't track up all the freshies...........
ray
happy or hidden please be careful...........and post pics.
we'll be riding up there monday-fri of next week so don't track up all the freshies...........
ray
That looks like the typical 30 degree slope. Ouch. We will def be careful! Avy gear is packed, hope we don't need it!
forecast shaping up!!
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Winter Storm Warning
This Afternoon: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 31. West southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Tonight: Periods of snow. Low around 19. Breezy, with a west northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.
Friday: Periods of snow. High near 23. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.
Friday Night: Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 7. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 14.
Sunday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 28. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 13.
Monday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 27.
Monday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Winter Storm Warning
This Afternoon: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 31. West southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Tonight: Periods of snow. Low around 19. Breezy, with a west northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.
Friday: Periods of snow. High near 23. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.
Friday Night: Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 7. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 14.
Sunday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 28. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 13.
Monday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 27.
Monday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.
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Saturday Ride
We live in Norhtern Colorado and this will be our first trip to Grand Mesa...Just wondering where the best place to park is? Are there any permits you need to ride on the Mesa other than the State Registration stickers?
Thanks
We live in Norhtern Colorado and this will be our first trip to Grand Mesa...Just wondering where the best place to park is? Are there any permits you need to ride on the Mesa other than the State Registration stickers?
Thanks
Hello,
I just wrote a post describing all the parking areas, and the internet or the site ate it. If you are not going south at Glenwood and coming in from there, McClure, or Paonia/Hotchkiss area,
I70 to Hwy 65 then choose Collbran/Vega or Mesa.
Collbran: several miles south of town is lot, pretty basic. Trail leads up to Bohnham Reservoir and the SP trail complex.
Vega: Call them to see if overnight is allowed, and what facilities they have open. 970 487 3407
South of Mesa, passed powderhorn: Mesa Lakes resort may be dealing with snowmobilers. Just on up the road is a parking area (actually, two, one for XC and one for snowmobilers; I don't know which is which) leads to Waterdog and Cottonwoods area. Haven't ever been there from the highway, no advise.
On up the Mesa, beyond the Skyway XC parking and use area, is Lands End. Its on the SP. They are trying not to use it,and want you to go a mile or so on and park at the new snowmobile area. New area has toilets, changing rooms, and lots of parking. Its on the SP.
On over the top (past the XC county line area) is Grand Mesa Lodge. Great people, have lodging and a C store, no restaurant, may have parking. Call Ken and Connie Simpson at 970 856 3250
Next is the Forest Service Visitor Center at Grass (call it Carp) lake. Very busy area. Heated Restrooms. See my rant a few messages above about parking with due regard for others.
Going on down the mountain, there is the Surface Creek parking lot. Its below the Ward Creek Reservoir XC/Sledding area with a restroom). Locals can tell you how to get to the "round corral" parking in the Marcotte drainage, by going nearly to Cedaredge and then east and north.
Register your sled; no permits needed except at Vega Reservoir.
I just wrote a post describing all the parking areas, and the internet or the site ate it. If you are not going south at Glenwood and coming in from there, McClure, or Paonia/Hotchkiss area,
I70 to Hwy 65 then choose Collbran/Vega or Mesa.
Collbran: several miles south of town is lot, pretty basic. Trail leads up to Bohnham Reservoir and the SP trail complex.
Vega: Call them to see if overnight is allowed, and what facilities they have open. 970 487 3407
South of Mesa, passed powderhorn: Mesa Lakes resort may be dealing with snowmobilers. Just on up the road is a parking area (actually, two, one for XC and one for snowmobilers; I don't know which is which) leads to Waterdog and Cottonwoods area. Haven't ever been there from the highway, no advise.
On up the Mesa, beyond the Skyway XC parking and use area, is Lands End. Its on the SP. They are trying not to use it,and want you to go a mile or so on and park at the new snowmobile area. New area has toilets, changing rooms, and lots of parking. Its on the SP.
On over the top (past the XC county line area) is Grand Mesa Lodge. Great people, have lodging and a C store, no restaurant, may have parking. Call Ken and Connie Simpson at 970 856 3250
Next is the Forest Service Visitor Center at Grass (call it Carp) lake. Very busy area. Heated Restrooms. See my rant a few messages above about parking with due regard for others.
Going on down the mountain, there is the Surface Creek parking lot. Its below the Ward Creek Reservoir XC/Sledding area with a restroom). Locals can tell you how to get to the "round corral" parking in the Marcotte drainage, by going nearly to Cedaredge and then east and north.
Register your sled; no permits needed except at Vega Reservoir.
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