Island Park 20/21 Snow Conditions

[donbrown]

Been ridind from WEst Yellowstone since Monday. The whoops on the trail are killer!
With no fresh snow the "rental escorted" areas are tracked to a hardpack. Two tops Lionhead all tracked up. Today helped renters get out of weird wrecks ... most of them kids doing the speed limit ... 45 MPH and loosing control. Should have taken picks ... there were some knarley wrecks, no body hurt. So were are we finding semi untracked powder. Whiskey Trail , Black Bear cutoff , Black Canyon Trail. Our best place so far is around South Plateau Trail. Today bout foot powder on top , a crusty inch lawyer, then 2 to 4 feet of sugar powder to the ground. JCT 24 is a nice area. There are power lines , NOT the BPA Powerline trail JCT 21 to 19 , ... follow the powerlines to riding areas not tracked very much. There is a sweet turbo 850 with about EVERY accessory you can think of on a sold sled at Skidoo shop in West Yellowstone ... beyond nice. Alot of dedicated 175 accessories at West Yellowstone Skidoo.

 

[Blu Du]

are bars and restaurants open in west yellowstone for inside dining?

 

[christopher]

So logged about 60 miles yesterday, and found some really varied conditions. Black canyon had gotten hot and suffered a major melt or rain event in the last few days. Trees covered in icicles and a nasty crusty layer about 9 inches below the surface.

Vast areas of untracked snow, but that hidden crust was ugly.

Biggest surprise was two tops.
Most of the big open playground areas were VERY hard packed beneath a couple inches of fresh untracked powder. But, found several large areas of 12-18” soft high quality snow for the whole group to play in along the tree boardering areas. Anyplace that was even marginally protected was pretty good.

That suggests to me that if I wasn’t with a group of newbs and could go hunting deeper in the trees I would find plenty of good riding.


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[wwracer]

are bars and restaurants open in west yellowstone for inside dining?

Can't speak for west, however, I.P. is. I drove by Ponds a couple of days ago, and it looked like standing room only cough cough ?

 

[IDspud]

My family ate at ponds one of our nights, they were very mindful of spacing and did a great job balancing service with covid rules while we were there.

 

[IDspud]

Blu, the non rider part of our group did eat in West while we were out riding Christmas Eve.

 

[goridedoo]

Been ridind from WEst Yellowstone since Monday. The whoops on the trail are killer!
With no fresh snow the "rental escorted" areas are tracked to a hardpack. Two tops Lionhead all tracked up. Today helped renters get out of weird wrecks ... most of them kids doing the speed limit ... 45 MPH and loosing control. Should have taken picks ... there were some knarley wrecks, no body hurt.

LOL everytime I have been to West its been around Christmas/New Years and the trails are a disaster- both from the whoops and the “tourists”.

Two ups upside down in the middle of the trail. Stuck ON the trail. People going 10mph. People riding around corners on the WRONG side of the trail. Always something bizarre between town and Two Top.

 

[Reg2view]

The circus is definitely in West this time of year. You'll see city skier newbs staying in Big Sky coming up the valley for a day to ride. Once upon a time many of them used to just go in the park.

 

[christopher]

I am headed back up yet again tomorrow.
Another day of taking some folks out into the meadows for a "fun" ride.

The one thing that has really stood out to me so far this season is just how FEW SLEDDERS I have seen.
Renters as well as Owners.
There just don't seem to be many people out and about in Island Park this year.
Traffic just FEELS way down.

The economy in West and IP is so small and fragile.
It pains me to think that this winter is going to impose more pain and suffering on what few businesses we have up there.

 

[christopher]

If this projection holds true..

Tuesday could be a Good day to go riding.
Weds could be an Excellent day with some Sunshine poking through the clouds and offering up some definition on the ground.

 

[wwracer]

I am headed back up yet again tomorrow.
Another day of taking some folks out into the meadows for a "fun" ride.

The one thing that has really stood out to me so far this season is just how FEW SLEDDERS I have seen.
Renters as well as Owners.
There just don't seem to be many people out and about in Island Park this year.
Traffic just FEELS way down.

The economy in West and IP is so small and fragile.
It pains me to think that this winter is going to impose more pain and suffering on what few businesses we have up there.

I don't know which I.P. your talking about. It's the worst I've seen it in years, been nothing but a three ring circus here since after Xmas. Went across town this morning, they were stacked 15 deep at Elk Creek for fuel, and of course, the usual idiots trying to stop traffic on US 20 to get thier 25 sled caravans across the road. Never fails that someone in the midlle has their ski pressure to high and gets stuck in the middle of the HWY. New Years week here SUCKS ... there, I feel better now

 

[IDspud]

My thoughts exactly, as well as others above regarding west.
Hardest time I’ve had parking at ponds was this year over others, that was just for restrooms and snacks for the girls.
On my way out incoming traffic was solid until four lanes.

 

[christopher]

I don't know which I.P. your talking about. It's the worst I've seen it in years, been nothing but a three ring circus here since after Xmas. Went across town this morning, they were stacked 15 deep at Elk Creek for fuel, and of course, the usual idiots trying to stop traffic on US 20 to get thier 25 sled caravans across the road. Never fails that someone in the midlle has their ski pressure to high and gets stuck in the middle of the HWY. New Years week here SUCKS ... there, I feel better now

Wow
Timing must be everything
TODAY the place seemed ALIVE.
But Tuesday and Thursday last week it felt Deserted.

 

[Blu Du]

is it getting good yet? probably will head west in a week to get some miles on the new boost buggy. i am turning into a snow snob and waiting to chase a good storm

 

[christopher]

West looked pretty THIN today.
The best quality snow I saw was just on the lip coming over the Ashton Hill
But there were a TON of sleds everywhere today.
So I am guessing there will be tracks everywhere.

But
MORE SNOW coming Sunday/Monday

 

[christopher]

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[christopher]

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[donbrown]

are bars and restaurants open in west yellowstone for inside dining?

I think take out only BUT I just bought food at the market[place with a DELI

 

[IDspud]

We had a great meal in bulwinkles over Christmas.

 

[christopher]

Weather Alerts-Island Park, ID​

Winter Storm Warning from MON 1:00 PM MST until TUE 11:00 AM MST​

Action Recommended​

Make preparations per the instructions

Issued By​

Pocatello/Idaho Falls - ID, US, National Weather Service

Affected Area​

Island Park, Ashton Hill, Targhee Pass, Raynolds Pass, Pine Creek Pass, Wayan, Emigration Pass

Description​

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MONDAY TO 11 AM MST TUESDAY...

WHAT...Heavy snow expected.

Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches.

Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

WHERE...Island Park, Ashton Hill, Targhee Pass, Raynolds Pass, Pine Creek Pass, Wayan, Emigration Pass.

WHEN...From 1 PM Monday to 11 AM MST Tuesday.

IMPACTS...Snow packed roads are likely with difficult driving likely over mountain passes.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Areas of blowing and drifting snow are possible as well.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.