Laramie or Big Horns in end of Jan???

[jd440]

Ok guys... group of us are headed out the end of january. Going either to the laramie/centennial area or the big horns area. We are your pretty average riders wanting to have a good time dodgin trees and gettin stuck... We all have 151's or longer so we love the deep snow. Just tryin to get some ideas on which is better in the end of jan. Also where is good lodging in those two areas. Thanks

 

[shelbwyo]

The thing about the big horns is that if the weather goes to crap then the snow will get hard so it is sometimes hit and miss, last winter was pretty good until the middle of february and then it didnt snow much for a month. So it can be a toss up in the horns, but can be the same thing in the snowys i think as well... As for the lodging, i assume you are wanting to go to the north horns, stay at bear lodge good people there. Maybe someone else has some suggestions for where to stay in centennial...

 

[Ryan-41]

The Big Horns are hit and miss for sure, but it is great riding when you hit it right and I see you are coming from South Dakota, so the Big Horns would closer to you, but I would say you would have better chance of riding in good snow in the snowies!! The Tree riding is a lot better in the snowies too!!

Lodging for the snowies!!
http://www.mtnmeadowcabins.com/winter-act.html

Lodging for the Big Horns:
http://www.bearlodgeresort.com/Lodge/Lodging/Default.aspx

 

[treehunter]

I grew up an hour from the horns and lived in laramie for two years and now I'm back an hour from the horns. so I have rode both places alot. Here are the perks and downfalls of both.

Horns- Perks- great lodging bear lodge on east side of mtn or high country on west side ride from room to the snow on either. fewer crowds.
down side- not as much snow as the snowies. Can be hit or miss you can always find good snow but might have to search a little bit for it.

Snowies Perks- great snow steeper hills,
Downside- bigger crowds most lodging is off the mountain. Wind if you hit a windy day or two it can be miserable same with the horns but not as bad as the snowies or blowies during certain times

hope that helps let me know if you want anything more specific

 

[M6johnny]

Its too bad that nobody is running Ranger Creek Ranch in the Horns anymore.. That place was awesome. I really hope to get at least one ride in the Horns this year though. Its been 3 years since our group has made it that direction. But to the OP if your gonna go to the Snowies, stay at The Place. Or theres a another cabin rental place right across the road from there. We stayed there 2 years ago and at The Place the people were amazing!! Oh, and the best hot wings Ive ever had don't hurt!!! They are on the Saratoga side of the mountain. Hope this helps!!

 

[friscospices.com]

I stayed at the Place last April the cabins are small great for 2 people each. Across the street there is cabins as well and they are bit larger I think its called the Ten Mile Inn. If you stay on this side of the mountain neat Saratoga the wind isn't as much of a factor. You can be in the trees in about a mile from the cabins. It was a good stay if you are going for multiple days and want to ride from the cabins. If you go to the Centenial side and its blowing bad you could be stuck from getting over the top to the good stuff. Or if it blows to bad alot of guys ride out of Albany. But you still wont be able to get over the topp if its really bad. From Ten Mile you are already on that side of the Range so no need to go over the top. You can also check there is another place just down the road from there with a restrant and some hotel rooms with a couple cabins. Not sure but I think its called the rendezvous

 

[jd440]

thanks for all the info people. Ive been watching alot of videos on youtube (basically my life nowadays) and it seems that the horns have alot more of flowing type hills. good for climbs but not much else. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[KSH]

thanks for all the info people. Ive been watching alot of videos on youtube (basically my life nowadays) and it seems that the horns have alot more of flowing type hills. good for climbs but not much else. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I haven't read the whole thread, but I would say that is wrong.

Horns= boondocking, cornices, shorter climbs and fair amount of trails.

Snowies = boondocking, cornices, long and short climbs and a lot more trails.

JMO

 

[shelbwyo]

Have ridden the horns for 3 years now, and went to the snowies for a weekend last year... Yes the horns have more flowing hills but they are definetly smaller hills and less climbing. Just small valleys all over is where we ride, the bald mtn area has some bigger hills but is more open. I would consider it to be boondocking mostly. Where i rode in the snowies (above greenrock) had bigger and steeper hills for sure. The tree riding is also better there, seemed to me that you can literally go forever without having to stop becuase of trees.

 

[TNytro162]

ya what KSH said X2 snowies all the way,,,if its' blowing you go ride the trail system from albany. Just stay a while one day might be snowing like crazy and then fresh POW the next. I'm biased,,The snowies are just up the road and hour and a half,,, Dont want crowds ride the weekdays.... Usually if Steamboat ski area gets nailed in Co, good chance snowies get some of that action too. Nice fluffy POWWWWW deff on the backside
Some lodging at albany or just 20 minutes into laramie. Snowies IMO

 

[t30mg]

I'm from eastern SD and have ridden both places.

First I rode the horns for 2 days. Thought it was awesome. Had a local that knows the horns real good show us around. There was good climbs as well as boondocking.

BUT,,,,,,,,,,,

Later I was driving through laramie with some sleds on the trailer. We decided to grab a hotel and take a spin up above greenrock, with out guides, just some trail maps.

WOW!!! There is so much, so close to the parking lot in the snowies. I have been back in the snowies several times since, but have not went back to the horns.

If you can go on the drop of hat, the horns is great after fresh snow.
But if you are putting in for time off and have to take it or lose the trip,
I think the chances of you finding good snow is better in the snowies.
And all the variety close to the rig makes it worth the extra 2 hrs on the road!

1 last thing. Colorado has many great riding areas. But, in the green rock parking area(snowies) I talked to some folks from Colorado. They said it is the same drive(time) to the snowies, and they never ride colorado anymore. There will be several colorado plates in the green rock parking lot any given weekend.
Must say something bout the snowies huh?

 

[mbj050]

Hi JD:

agree with shelbwyo, it can be hit and miss in late January in the Big Horns. The early forecast for our area is for above average moisture this winter, so we are hoping that means good snow early. My husband and I manage a lodge in the area called Wyoming High Country, so naturally we would love to have your group stay with us! Bookings are still light right now, but as we move into winter that will change.
Give a shout if you guys are interested in our place and I can offer you a decent discount on food and lodging. At any rate, if you choose the Northern Big Horns you will end up over by us as we have THE BEST SNOW ON THE MOUNTAIN, so stop in and say hello!

 

[Mac5]

Wyoming High Country

+1 for Wyoming High Country!! Awesome burgers, cool lodge and great couches to sleep off a hangover! LOL Would definetly give them a shout if you are headed that way.