I'm Frustrated..!!..

[nikeholley]

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I am frustrated by the lack of info available about the Washington snowparks, riding areas and snow conditions...

We live in a hyper-technology age, so I'd think that we could get GREAT, CURRENT info regarding:

1) Road conditions to snowparks...

2) Snow levels and conditions of the trails at the snowparks...

3) Grooming reports at least once a week, with good info about snow depth...

4) locations & info regarding locations of 'variable/moving' snowparks(greenwater for example, where they move the snowpark up the road if conditions call for it)
-----------------------------------

I can't be the only one that sits on my computer, bouncing around between two snowmobile sites, the state park site, two blog/twitter sites, and anywhere else I can think of, trying to find out what the conditions are like before I go and spend $100 in fuel & other stuff, blindly trying to have a good ride somewhere..!?!?!?!...

What can be done regarding this..??..

any ideas..??..

Nike Holley

.

 

[shanepr1]

hello people, please read and comment!

Well said, did you hear him SW?? Maybe for premium members? I would give ya 20 bucks a year for that info? Moderator can you please see this thread is heard? -Shane

 

[snowmobiler]

wtf?

 

[xpspenziv]

Its all provided if you look hard enough.

Road cond at snopark-here.10 other sites, peoples posts.

Snow level-you should know that by now.

Conditions of trail at sno parks-here,1000 peeps posts

location of snoparks-Wa sno parks.com.org.net.

moving sno park at greenwater-here,peeps posts, forest service updates.

ALL of this is free and readily available.Your on a computor look it up,scroll down,search it,googl it,than save it all in a folder labeled (snomobile)

 

[xpspenziv]

Well said, did you hear him SW?? Maybe for premium members? I would give ya 20 bucks a year for that info? Moderator can you please see this thread is heard? -Shane

Why do you think sno west should provide this?There not in WA.

They provide us with a place to communicate with others with the same interest.Thats why peeps post there experiences when and where they go.

Use yur head and figure out what do.links everywhere.

 

[94fordguy]

A few of those you can find online to a limited extent.

Best way to find major road conditions is through the WSDOT site - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/passes/default.aspx

A good way to find snow depth across the state is through Snotel - http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Washington/washington.html

Snotel sites of your choice can be added to a ticker on this site through premium membership if you like.


The hard part about finding conditions for back roads and snow parks is that nobody is really paid to go up there and report it.... you're really depending on a volunteer basis to find that info. Also the hard part to finding powder conditions is the same thing - unless you can check out a nearby ski resort, nobody really reports it except when people volunteer to post up the info. Groomer reports are SUPPOSED to be posted on the state parks website http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/trails/?TrailType=motorized but is usually always overlooked.

If you're from the west side I think you've got it pretty easy, there are seemingly thousands of threads talking about Gold Creek on here every week

Not sure what else to suggest, it's just the nature of the sport.

 

[nikeholley]

I guess I'm just a moron...

A few of those you can find online to a limited extent.

Best way to find major road conditions is through the WSDOT site - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/passes/default.aspx


A good way to find snow depth across the state is through Snotel - http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Washington/washington.html

Snotel sites of your choice can be added to a ticker on this site through premium membership if you like.


The hard part about finding conditions for back roads and snow parks is that nobody is really paid to go up there and report it.... you're really depending on a volunteer basis to find that info. Also the hard part to finding powder conditions is the same thing - unless you can check out a nearby ski resort, nobody really reports it except when people volunteer to post up the info. Groomer reports are SUPPOSED to be posted on the state parks website http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/trails/?TrailType=motorized but is usually always overlooked.

If you're from the west side I think you've got it pretty easy, there are seemingly thousands of threads talking about Gold Creek on here every week

Not sure what else to suggest, it's just the nature of the sport.

Yes, I'm from the west side... I would guess there's lots of sledders from the west side... We DO NOT just ride Gold creek... we almost never ride gold creek... crowded, multi use, busy hectic, ick... we go to Salmon la sac, 29 pines, Reecer, Ellensburg, etc, etc...

I know about WSDOT... road conditions & cams... good info...

I DO spend time on here & BCR... looking for info... all the time... every day...

BUT... the info you usually see is: "anyone been up to xxx ? wanna go ride there this weekend"...

Then a few responses like "it's terrible there... stay away from my snow" or "rode up top & it was an epic day"...

There are some of us that are middle aged, middle income, like a groomed trail to get outta the snowpark & up a few miles, so we can play some off trail... and I might be selfish, but I want to know if there's 2 miles of gravel or blacktop to ride on at the snopark, chewing up our skis & hyfax...

The Snotel site is a bit confusing, but I'm trying to learn how to use it...

as far as the State Grooming info/website... it is an embarrassment to technology... Who in the heck lets the people who win the grooming contracts not follow the rules of the contract..!?!?!?.. (I'm gonna get flamed for that)...

As I said before, if you're GROOMING there... you are our(the sledding community, the ones that pay your wages) eyes & ears...

ugh...

Nike Holley

 

[nikeholley]

Groomer reports are SUPPOSED to be posted on the state parks website http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/trails/?TrailType=motorized but is usually always overlooked.

Why do we as a community allow this..??.. everyone says the same thing you do... 'it's supposed to be done right, but they don't do it... oh well"...

I don't know what your customer base is, but mine wouldn't stand for that AT ALL... do what you agreed to do... that's all...

Ugh...

Nike Holley

 

[xpspenziv]

there are posts of where you speek of also.i dont ride gc to much for the same reasons.

lk ann,van epps,gallegher,cooper,ect.ive called last resort,cascade playtime,and the other dealer in roslyn at the gas station for cond.
they rent sleds in those areas so they would know.

 

[deepdiver]

I saw cascade Playtime checking snow conditions...that was by looking at the Pass reports. Not a very accurate way.

Nikeholly...here in Washington the snow is different from one day to the next. It is different within just a few miles at times. Last week I took a dry drive to SLS....as I turned the corner off I-90 (Yamadog I got the number right) it turned to snow and snowed all day.

I do not and can not trust weather reports or weather data sites. I have not gone to baker before as weather man said snow all day there...then all they had was sunshine...and it can go the other way just as well.

I understand what you are seeking and I agree that would be great. Unfortunatly this state is to helter skelter when it comes to terrain, elevations, and snow levels. One of my tricks is to get a good phone base of other riders...learn who has productive information on SW also. I call up folks and see when they are riding..get the first hand reports from those that were there. A report from Wed. isnt worth much on Saturday as the snow conditions here and the melt are to variable.

I figure that the worst day of riding (injuries) aside, is better thasn sitting at home doing honey doo projects! I just show up and make the best of it..enjoy life and being able to be outside.

Now for my snow report.: roads and highways..wet and not repaired well....snow levels..too high. Some great snow up high but hard to get to. Trails in WA..well they are mostly over used..snow has a high moisture content and to many thaw cycles..trails dont hold up well no matter how they are groomed. Some are a lot better than others.

Get the links for the NOAA data weather site...they have an interactive map that shows forcasts at any elevation or area you pick.

Here is an example of your favorite place :>) http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClic...9008789&site=pdt&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en

we pretty much have to develope our own network..which only goes to show that your frustration is valid.

 

[Snodawg]

A couple of years ago, the Wash. thread had all kinds of updates, but ever since the pay membership fiasco, it's been kind of slow. Too bad that it is this way, but on the other hand, we are devoid of all the garbage. BTW, did I mention that this thread is gay

 

[CleElum Sledhead]

There is an email DL from the groomers for the general I-90 corridor sno-parks with reports almost daily. I am on the list and they tell you exactly what the trail conditions are while they are out grooming. Not on the list? Join it here: http://groups.google.com/group/i90corridorgrooming?hl=en

Here are two of the latest reports:

2/18 Groomed from Woods and Steele Staging area up 4510rd and around Windy Pass Loop back to Woods and Steele.

Groomed from Manastash Snopark up and back Barber Springs road. Then up 3100rd to Buck Meadows to 3111rd. 3111rd to 3120rd. Dropped down the top of Shadow Creek rd to the upper gate and turned around due to low snow. Returned to Tamarack Springs and then went around the LT Murry loop back to the snopark via 3111rd.

Lt dusting of snow and cold night.

Think snow...

2/17 Groomed from Woods and Steel up the 4510rd and down the 111rd to Five Corners. Then out the 119rd to the 3300rd to Taneum Snopark. Then up the 3300rd to the 3330rd to the intersection of the 3120rd and 3111rd. Returned to Woods and Steel via the 3300rd and 114rd.

Groomed from Manastash Snopark up the 3100rd to Quartz Mtn. Went out 3120rd to 3111rd and returned to Snopark via the 3100rd.

About 2 inches of new snow out of Wood and Steel. 4510rd is in good shape most of the ice is covered in the new snow but still use caution. Lowest 1.5miles still has some ice. Few small bare spots from the Woods and Steel Road to the "Future Snopark".

114rd is covered with new snow but watch for rock fall.

Taneum Road Still in good shape; one small bare spot down to pavement for about 65ft just past bottom of Cedar Creek Rd.

Up the 3330rd snow gets better about 5inches continues up Quartz and down towards Manastash Snopark.

Barber Springs is still very icy on the lower south facing section of road.

Nick

 

[nikeholley]

Ok...

.
So I joined the I-90 corridor grooming thing...

Great info there once you find it...

WHY is this info not linked to the State grooming report website..??.. Seems like every groomer should be reporting like this...

Still don't understand that one...

Thanks for the input & ideas...

Nike Holley

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[chas6663]

how about you get off the computer and go check out all the snow parks for us.you could hit 3 or 4 a day. it is not rocket science watch wheather report look where freezing elevation then look for snow park at that elevation.

these kind of people want some else to do the work for them.

 

[NWGooser]

Now see what you started???

I think more people are frustrated than are willing to admit. Like you, my middle aged knees prefer groomed trails to hit the play areas. Part of getting old. There is nothing we can do about the snow but unless I'm wrong, regular, consistent groomer reports are a contract requirement. Not a suggestion. Here is one report I just read, this morning, and it is over a month old with no update.

GROOMING UPDATE:
Jan 14: Groomer down in the Randle/Packwood/Skate Creek area, but should be back up and running early next week.

This isn't worth loosing sleep over. I will offer this suggestion;
Win the mega million. Buy a LOT of land. Buy your own groomer. Call me.
Problem solved.

 

[Lushbomb]

be happy some of the better places we ride do NOT have to much info..
i know nothing is sacred anymore but i'd like to think by not over saturating the internets with info on some places we can save a little for another day..

don't look for reports, go out and make them... even with info a lot of days are chance still here in Wa..

 

[nikeholley]

Wow...

these kind of people want some else to do the work for them.

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