Island Park trip

[regret]

Getting ready for a 7 day trip to Island Park, starting this weekend. I was wondering where to ride? I have only been up to Island Park for the first time last month, rode up to Two top one day, playing around the summit, and road the Black Canyon loop, dropping into Black Canyon. The weather sucked then and the snow was crusty.
I was wondering where everyone goes to ride. I hear about these epic trips, and watch youtube videos of places that look awesome, but where we rode, was just ok. Am I missing something or is the snow just that crappy this year.
Im not really into the hill climbing. Love the long side hill or the rolling hill play, with the occasional hill climb pull. We will all be experienced riders, I would say intermediate skill level, with modern sleds,(XP, REV, PRO)

So where do u ride? I'm not looking for your secret spot, just some where we can go and have a good ride.

 

[w2bridin]

I think the snow just sucks this year. I was out a few weeks ago and it was the worst snow we have ridden in IP. Last year was epic yes epic I would say. Made 3 trips out and 2 of the trips the powder was over the windshield 90% of the time. I dont know the area real well so cant help you with names of creek beds and stuff but we usually ride east of IP tried west by jefferson thats alot more rugged over there. When the snow sucks it sucks.

 

[christopher]

Snow is GOOD right now and more coming FINALLY.

Hazardous weather condition(s):

Winter Storm Warning
Hazardous Weather Outlook
​

Late Afternoon: Snow showers. High near 36. South southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow showers. Low around 25. South southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Wednesday: Snow showers. High near 41. Windy, with a southwest wind 15 to 18 mph increasing to between 27 and 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Snow. Low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -10. Windy, with a west wind 31 to 34 mph decreasing to between 15 and 18 mph. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. West wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

 

[regret]

Yeah I wish we could have went last year. Looking at google maps, the Black canyon trail headed east, though Big Springs. I dont know if u mean further east or if thats the creeks you were talking about. It was nicer over there, pretty flat and wooded though. Snow was Ok if u hid in the trees.

I have heard about the Mt. Jeferson, seen some pretty cool videos, but you say it sucks when the snow is low? The pictures I find online about it shows its not as wooded and its very high altitude. Doesnt look too bad, maybe hard to get to?

 

[801]

when exactly are ya gonna be up there??

 

[cat leader]

Turn at elk creek gas station then go past shotgun store then u will come 2 a parking lot on the right just maybe 1 to 2 miles from shotgun store pull in there ride up the canyon to the right and ride back in there then there should be a trail that goes up a ridge clear up by rees peak when on top go to the north east and there will be a little canyon u can drop down into and u will be at the bottom of what we called windshield ridge if u climb to the top jefferson is right in front of u was up there tell yesterday and snow was a blast good luck

 

[regret]

Oh man thanks! Looking forward to the trip, looks like the snow might be fresh too. Hope for no overcast

 

[Jeff C]

Turn at elk creek gas station then go past shotgun store then u will come 2 a parking lot on the right just maybe 1 to 2 miles from shotgun store pull in there ride up the canyon to the right and ride back in there then there should be a trail that goes up a ridge clear up by rees peak when on top go to the north east and there will be a little canyon u can drop down into and u will be at the bottom of what we called windshield ridge if u climb to the top jefferson is right in front of u was up there tell yesterday and snow was a blast good luck

Just a cautionary note on windshield hill:

If your facing Windshield hill there is a very tempting climb about 1,500' to the left of it.

DO NOT GO IN THERE!! That climb is shaped like a funnel Wide on the top, and narrows down to about 50 feet at the bottom....

There have been several people killed in there over the last few years!

Once the snow breaks, it gathers everything and funnels it all into a small runout on the bottom.

If you see any of your crew heading that way, keep them out!!

Windshield hill is at the bottom of what we call the "Flume"

There is a little creek bed that twists and turns downward that everybody goes down to get to windshield hill.

Once you go down that twisting creek bed, you will recognize what I am talking about. Windshield hill will be right in front of you.

It is a hill about 2000' wide, and the climb is about 200-300'

 

[regret]

Thanks for the warning. We will probably try that area out on Monday or Tuesday. It will just be two of us by then, the other guys are heading home early.

 

[Blk88GT]

Be careful in that area, lots of avalanche activity....

 

[regret]

Yeah we haven't been over there. So much snow coming down there really hasn't been a need to wonder too far up into the hills. Forecast says another 16" coming today on top of 10-15" we already got this trip. Snow is wonderful, just can't see. It would be a good ride for anyone once the sun comes out. We were riding through the flats and the snow keeps flowing over the hood and very soft. If you head up any of the hills it just gets deeper. I worry because about 2' down is a layer of sugar snow about 6" deep.

 

[christopher]

PLENTY OF GOOD SNOW AT LAST!