How's Tampico?
- Thread starter spook222
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Tampico
Went up Saturday and it was very wet. Rained pretty much all day, even up top of Darland and Cirque lake. Will be a very good base but need more Powder!
Went up Saturday and it was very wet. Rained pretty much all day, even up top of Darland and Cirque lake. Will be a very good base but need more Powder!
Nothing was soft. All wet and heavy but it still was an ok day. Put on about 50 miles. The road from the parking lot to Tree Phones was very slim on snow when we came back down. I am not going to go up there until we get more snow. They say Monday and Tuesday we are suppose to get some more so we'll see.
It rained most of the day today plus it was way too warm about 38 degrees at the snowpark. It is getting very thin down low. We need low temps and more snow!!!!
My buddy and I went up on Sunday for a ride and we were actually pretty happy with how the snow was.. 
As mentioned, it was pretty slim up to tree phones, but above that it was decent, just in urgent need of grooming... you could almost disappear in the moguls beyond tree phones We took off up by Eagles nest and the snow was a little thin, but good and fun, not too heavy/wet, but a little as it was still mixed rain/snow at 5500ft. Once we got above Clover Flats it changed to snow and was coming down moderately off and on above 6,000 ft. We did some playing and highmarking on one of our favorite hills before the Super Bowl and had a blast, snow was good for as bad as the weather has been most of the week. Once we took off and headed up to the Super Bowl it was snowing and blowing pretty hard and we did not drop into the Super Bowl due to low visibility and over all bad weather, didn't want to be in that stuff alone if something happened so we made the loop and came down the north fork. North fork was pretty slim from snow cabins campground all the way to the bottom.... I wouldn't go on that till there is more snow for sure.
Some pics....
there was about 4" new snow from overnight on a soft base, we were trenching about 12-18" while climbing.... wasn't powder, but it was definitely fun to play in... I pulled a highmark that made a ski-doo look silly He only made one run at the hill before leaving
On top of the Super Bowl visibility was pretty bad, had to stop to wipe your goggles off about every 500 ft from the horizontal snow
It just needs to cool off a bit so the snow down low starts sticking and we will be in good shape. The sidehills between Tree Phones and Eagles nest weren't climbable as most of the snow had been blown off and there were lots of sticks showing through still....
there was about 45 rigs in the parking lot when we got there at 10:30 and there were only about 5 left when we got back down at 3:30.
As mentioned, it was pretty slim up to tree phones, but above that it was decent, just in urgent need of grooming... you could almost disappear in the moguls beyond tree phones We took off up by Eagles nest and the snow was a little thin, but good and fun, not too heavy/wet, but a little as it was still mixed rain/snow at 5500ft. Once we got above Clover Flats it changed to snow and was coming down moderately off and on above 6,000 ft. We did some playing and highmarking on one of our favorite hills before the Super Bowl and had a blast, snow was good for as bad as the weather has been most of the week. Once we took off and headed up to the Super Bowl it was snowing and blowing pretty hard and we did not drop into the Super Bowl due to low visibility and over all bad weather, didn't want to be in that stuff alone if something happened so we made the loop and came down the north fork. North fork was pretty slim from snow cabins campground all the way to the bottom.... I wouldn't go on that till there is more snow for sure.Some pics....
there was about 4" new snow from overnight on a soft base, we were trenching about 12-18" while climbing.... wasn't powder, but it was definitely fun to play in... I pulled a highmark that made a ski-doo look silly
He only made one run at the hill before leaving
On top of the Super Bowl visibility was pretty bad, had to stop to wipe your goggles off about every 500 ft from the horizontal snow
It just needs to cool off a bit so the snow down low starts sticking and we will be in good shape. The sidehills between Tree Phones and Eagles nest weren't climbable as most of the snow had been blown off and there were lots of sticks showing through still....
there was about 45 rigs in the parking lot when we got there at 10:30 and there were only about 5 left when we got back down at 3:30.
Just to update this, as far as I can tell (I live just down from the sno-park), there has been very little new snow since Sunday. The Green lake sno-tel did not register any new snow Monday through Tuesday (when we were supposed to get some), and we received zilch at the lower levels. The berms are up, so running rigs up the road to get to the Whites ridge parking areas is not possible (or legal). Also remember all vehicles over the berm must have tracks for propulsion, and a ski for steering. This means that the new side-by-sides with 4 tracks are not legal (there may be an exception for maintenance or emergency use). The Jack *** road has not been bermed to my knowledge.
AS for the grooming, I am not sure what can be done since there is not enough snow at the lower levels to groom from the parking areas. In addition (and this is the really bad part), there is a mostly dry forecast for the next 2 weeks, which is going to make the road into an icy mess due to the last warm period. I will try to find out more on the grooming this evening, and try to post it here.
Tampico
AS for the grooming, I am not sure what can be done since there is not enough snow at the lower levels to groom from the parking areas. In addition (and this is the really bad part), there is a mostly dry forecast for the next 2 weeks, which is going to make the road into an icy mess due to the last warm period. I will try to find out more on the grooming this evening, and try to post it here.
Tampico
More information on the grooming at Tampico: As of now, I have been informed that there is not enough to groom the trailhead system based on the snow we currently have. I did ask about grooming higher up past treephones, but was told that there would be road damage from the groomer from the base to treephones, which would cause DNR troubles (I am seeking confirmation on this). Frankly, this is probably a mute point anyway since the weather conditions are adverse anyway for grooming (it seems it has been to warm recently and now is to cold, or will be getting there). Apparently, there is a guideline of 18" base at the trailhead to start the grooming program (also seeking confirmation). Our local groomer has gone on less (ie when does Jackass ever hold more than 18"?), but I believe conditions/forecasts do not warrant grooming currently. I do not believe that there is grooming going on anywhere else in Yakima county (let me know if I am incorrect). I will keep this thread posted as I collect more information.
As a side-note, this is personally the first holiday season since we were here in 2002 that we have not been able to ride the Jackass road (this includes the drought year of 2004-2005, albeit only for a week). I consider these holiday snow conditions the worst I have seen since I have been up here. This afternoons long range outlook offers no help either, as far as any major snow events. Obviously Al Gores fault.
Any questions, updates, errors in my post, please let me know. I will post more as I get more information.
Have a good as you can (due to lack of snow) Holiday Season;
Tampico
PS 94fordguy; appreciate your pics and posts, have a good one.
As a side-note, this is personally the first holiday season since we were here in 2002 that we have not been able to ride the Jackass road (this includes the drought year of 2004-2005, albeit only for a week). I consider these holiday snow conditions the worst I have seen since I have been up here. This afternoons long range outlook offers no help either, as far as any major snow events. Obviously Al Gores fault.
Any questions, updates, errors in my post, please let me know. I will post more as I get more information.
Have a good as you can (due to lack of snow) Holiday Season;
Tampico
PS 94fordguy; appreciate your pics and posts, have a good one.
Thanks for all of the helpful info!! Please keep it coming and let us know if you see any snow
Latest weather reports indicate possibly an increasing chance of snow mid next week, extended forecasts (2 wks out) indicate above normal precip and above normal temps. This is still better than dry, though.
I will also post any grooming or changes in such.
Have a happy holidays,
Tampico
I will also post any grooming or changes in such.
Have a happy holidays,
Tampico
Snow expected, finally.
Near the sno-park we received approximately just over an inch of new snow last night (same as Green Lake sno-tel), and expecting 3"-8" tomorrow afternoon through Wednesday morning. This should be enough to get the grooming started in time for the weekend. Another storm is expected Thursday night, will try to post Friday evening with new snow fall estimates.
Remember to have sno-park passes in the windows, as most the non-powered sledders (ie, suicide hill people parked just outside of main sno-park, ya know, like the 2 that were spinning out in front of me Sunday afternoon in the middle of the road), will probably get nabbed in the near future.
Hope to ride this Wednesday, will post conditions if I do.
Appreciate all posts with current conditions to add to the thread, or those above/below this one.
Tampico
Near the sno-park we received approximately just over an inch of new snow last night (same as Green Lake sno-tel), and expecting 3"-8" tomorrow afternoon through Wednesday morning. This should be enough to get the grooming started in time for the weekend. Another storm is expected Thursday night, will try to post Friday evening with new snow fall estimates.
Remember to have sno-park passes in the windows, as most the non-powered sledders (ie, suicide hill people parked just outside of main sno-park, ya know, like the 2 that were spinning out in front of me Sunday afternoon in the middle of the road), will probably get nabbed in the near future.
Hope to ride this Wednesday, will post conditions if I do.
Appreciate all posts with current conditions to add to the thread, or those above/below this one.
Tampico
Ahtanum update
Since last Sunday, we have about 3" new snow at the sno-park, yesterdays storm was a "dud". Today we rode up middle fork to Tree Phones, took left up to signpost, continued across the top of Darland into Convention Center, down North Fork, side trip to Blue Lake and attempt into Green Lake, short trip up Shellneck, and down and out North Fork. From the looks of it, a lot of the S facing hillclimbs (Divide Ridge) and wind prone areas are blown completely off, and are still pure rocks. Main sno-park was 40% full.
About 8" new total on top, can still feel ice/ruts underneath, hills are still "fast" and firm, hard to hold a sidehill. I was disappointed in the amount of new snow on top. Roads are still shallow up to TreePhones, and below Snow Cabin (wouldn't be groomable in my opinion in their current state), but are smoother that what I envisioned, and overall not that bad considering no grooming. Was drifted over the top, but that was FUN. As mentioned, did not go up Eagles Nest/Clover Flats (everyone else did, we were first tracks up to sign post and very few down North Fork). Super Bowl had a few tracks/sleds, and looks like decent cover inside. Decent cornices, also (we had novices with us, so I did not go in, but I sure wanted to!).
Latest Forecast is for up to 10+" from this new, stronger storm tomorrow, BUT also some rain/freezing rain possibilities. It looks like we should have groomer operations over the weekend. Next weeks forecast looks decent. Looks like a potentially good riding weekend ahead, finally!
Todays 0830 temp was 11F, the 2030 temp is 18F.
I tried to post this morning, but the server would not connect.
Have a happy new year,
Tampico
Since last Sunday, we have about 3" new snow at the sno-park, yesterdays storm was a "dud". Today we rode up middle fork to Tree Phones, took left up to signpost, continued across the top of Darland into Convention Center, down North Fork, side trip to Blue Lake and attempt into Green Lake, short trip up Shellneck, and down and out North Fork. From the looks of it, a lot of the S facing hillclimbs (Divide Ridge) and wind prone areas are blown completely off, and are still pure rocks. Main sno-park was 40% full.
About 8" new total on top, can still feel ice/ruts underneath, hills are still "fast" and firm, hard to hold a sidehill. I was disappointed in the amount of new snow on top. Roads are still shallow up to TreePhones, and below Snow Cabin (wouldn't be groomable in my opinion in their current state), but are smoother that what I envisioned, and overall not that bad considering no grooming. Was drifted over the top, but that was FUN. As mentioned, did not go up Eagles Nest/Clover Flats (everyone else did, we were first tracks up to sign post and very few down North Fork). Super Bowl had a few tracks/sleds, and looks like decent cover inside. Decent cornices, also (we had novices with us, so I did not go in, but I sure wanted to!).
Latest Forecast is for up to 10+" from this new, stronger storm tomorrow, BUT also some rain/freezing rain possibilities. It looks like we should have groomer operations over the weekend. Next weeks forecast looks decent. Looks like a potentially good riding weekend ahead, finally!
Todays 0830 temp was 11F, the 2030 temp is 18F.
I tried to post this morning, but the server would not connect.
Have a happy new year,
Tampico
Ahtanum update-Good news, Bad news
The sno-parks received about 6-7" of new, settled snow over the last 36 hours (good news). The 1330 temp was 33F and light rain with sunbreaks. The main sno-park was about 70% full, bottom lot (near Jackass) was full. I talked to a fellow who rode Jackass yesterday (12/31/09) and said it was decent if you stayed on the road, until you got up high. Forecast is for slightly more snow over the next couple of days. Next week looks ok with chances of snow and day temps in the low 30's expected.
The lots should be plowed this evening, and the berm should go up on the Jackass road.
Due to mechanical problems, the grooming will not commence until Sunday-Monday at the earliest (this is the bad news, but our groomer operator is working hard on getting going ASAP). Snow conditions and depth should be adequate by then, also.
Don't yet know my riding schedule this weekend (depends on my kid's schedule), but will post any conditions I find where I ride.
Please feel free to add your own updates, corrections or questions, and have a good ride.
Tampico
The sno-parks received about 6-7" of new, settled snow over the last 36 hours (good news). The 1330 temp was 33F and light rain with sunbreaks. The main sno-park was about 70% full, bottom lot (near Jackass) was full. I talked to a fellow who rode Jackass yesterday (12/31/09) and said it was decent if you stayed on the road, until you got up high. Forecast is for slightly more snow over the next couple of days. Next week looks ok with chances of snow and day temps in the low 30's expected.
The lots should be plowed this evening, and the berm should go up on the Jackass road.
Due to mechanical problems, the grooming will not commence until Sunday-Monday at the earliest (this is the bad news, but our groomer operator is working hard on getting going ASAP). Snow conditions and depth should be adequate by then, also.
Don't yet know my riding schedule this weekend (depends on my kid's schedule), but will post any conditions I find where I ride.
Please feel free to add your own updates, corrections or questions, and have a good ride.
Tampico
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