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Island Park vs McCall for Riding

J

jsandgren10

Well-known member
Hey guys,

We are looking to do a trip the first or second week of March this next year. I wanted to see what you guys thought of snow coniditions typically during this time for McCall and Island Park.

Also I have been to McCall twice and have rode areas like: Wongs Bowl, Granite Mountain, Twin Lakes, Granite Lake, etc.

I wanted to see what type of riding there is at Island Park, never been there. We like to do some climbing and boondocking, how does it compare to McCall? Lots of trees in McCall, about the same at IP?

We also thought Priest lake as well. Just trying to get an idea of the different areas and how hard it is to find good climbing areas, big meadows and boondock areas.

One thing we do like is the night life of McCall and being able to walk through town. How does IP or Priest Lake Compare?

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. Or if you guys have some coordinate points or mountain names in these areas that are good riding I can pull them up on Google Earth to get an idea.

Thanks guys.
 
Thanks for the link. Looks like the first and second weeks of March are prime time over there for having a lot of snow base.

Thanks. Now just need to see if there are enough good areas to climb, and ride over McCall.
 
Im also curious to know. Is Priest lake and island park good for the big turbos or is it more tree riding?
 
Island Park Rocks!! I have never been to McCall but I have ridden IP. Have ya ever heard of Yahoo Chute or Mt. Jefferson? The Centennial Mountain range? IP has meadows, it has alot of trees to boondock in and it has turbo country!!! Its a very well rounded place to ride. Look up Mt. Jefferson or Yahoo Chute. Thats where the turbo guys ride. Hell Roaring is a big turbo place as well, but that can get scary in there with Avys. You also have Sawtelle. On the other side of the highway you can ride all the way to West Yellowstone. Two Top is a nice fun ride, tons of boondocking. You wont be disappointed.

As far as the night life, if you stay in a place like West Yellowstone you have alot of night life, not so much in IP. My suggestion is to rent a nice cabin. My family rents one out year round. It is a sweet cabin. There is a group that comes every year from Minnesota to stay in it and ride. The cabin can fit a ton of people too! The best part is you have some of the best riding out the front door. You leave right from the cabin!!!

Here is the link to the cabin. http://ipcabinrental.blogspot.com
You can talk to Bryon, he is also on snowest as "hotshot"
You wont be disappointed!!!
 
If you want big power runs, then your headed for Mt. Jefferson in Island Park. That will be the spot that offers you the biggest challenges for hill climbing.
 
Go to Island park McCall is mostly filled with Bad riding, people, restaurants, parking, scenery, services etc.
 
I forgot to mention that Mt. Jefferson and Yahoo Chute have been shown in alot of snowmachine videos as one of the premiere big power chutes!!!
 
We are leaning towards Island Park for sure. We are trying to figure out a good date to go. Is march still good riding? I looked at the charts and seems they have a lot of snow then, but wanted to hear from people that ride there regularly.
 
Spring is usually the BEST time of the year in IP.
Chances are pretty good that you will find some good snow in March.
And if this year is anything at all like last year, it will be way beyond just "good".
Last March was awesome
 
Having ridden significant miles in both places I say McCall is many many (XXX) times better in all aspects of snowmobiling than IP. Especially in the terms that you are talking about. Now that said... you would really be amazed if you just snuck a little further east into Alpine or further yet to Afton. (actually a closer time drive from Nor Cal) There is epic epic extreme riding that will boggle your mind if you hit it right. We hit the flying saddle in Alpine and then work all the areas within about an hour drive in various directions depending on the conditions and the terrain we are seeking. You should experience that place at least once in your life as a sledder. FYI IP isn't a town or even remotely like a town. It's spread out for miles and there is no night life what so ever unless a local lodge is putting on a special event that evening.

I wonder where the McCall guys will ride when the tourists don't come and buy grooming tags? If you really knew how close we are to losing that area you'd have a lot different attitude about visitors. Seriously do you ever see anyone in your real honey holes in McCall? I can park two miles from the trail head at Francis Wallace and it will look like everyone in Idaho, Washington, and half of Oregon is in town yet we won't see four sleds out in the goods! Come on gang ...better think about it...every little bit counts! (or wax your skis cause that's what we'll have soon enough) Of course I also have a nice slice of private heaven across the river BUT WE DON"T ENCOURAGE VISITORS THERE EITHER! Brap brap
 
IP is a blast and its huge.
Head east of US 20 and you'll find plenty of trails with lots of tree riding and some good meadows.

West of 20 and you've got immense open meadows in the Keg Springs area or some big chutes around Jefferson and Hell Roaring.
March still has great riding. I've seen guys riding there in July. Although technically it closes Memorial Day.
 
F-Bomb said:
FYI IP isn't a town or even remotely like a town. It's spread out for miles and there is no night life what so ever unless a local lodge is putting on a special event that evening.
Click to expand...

That part is true enough.
There is no night life to speak of in Island Park.
For that you need to go to the other side of the mountain into West Yellowstone.

But, Island Park is 100% snowmobilers all winter long.

You won't see hardly anyone waxing their skis.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. Think we are going to hit Island Park next March and see how it goes. Summit X thanks for the cabin recommendation, in talks to lock it down for that weekend.

Should be a good weekend, going to ride, and one day head to West Yellowstone for the EXPO.

Now I just need to get some tracks and/or gps coordinates of some good climbs, good meadows, etc. I think we are going to spend most of the time on the west side of 20, and maybe do one day on the east side.

If anyone can PM me some coordinates of things like Yahoo chute, hell roaring, etc I would appreciate it.

Jeff
 
jsandgren10 said:
Thanks for the replies guys. Think we are going to hit Island Park next March and see how it goes. Summit X thanks for the cabin recommendation, in talks to lock it down for that weekend.

Should be a good weekend, going to ride, and one day head to West Yellowstone for the EXPO.

Now I just need to get some tracks and/or gps coordinates of some good climbs, good meadows, etc. I think we are going to spend most of the time on the west side of 20, and maybe do one day on the east side.

If anyone can PM me some coordinates of things like Yahoo chute, hell roaring, etc I would appreciate it.

Jeff
Click to expand...

No problem. You all will love it there!!!
 
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