McCall, here we come!!

[sleddinhusker]

March is finally here and we are heading to McCall next wed for the first time from Nebraska. The five of us have been planning this trip for a year. I can't believe it is almost here. We will be riding the 12th, 13th, and 14th. It is about a 13-15 hour trip for us. We are ready for a great road trip, great riding, great scenery, and probably a good five day drunk. From the sounds of things, the snow is starting to finally come. I have most the info I need, and thanks to all who have shared. I think we only have a few more questions.

Fast food joints? From what I have found there is only a Subway right? No fast food breakfast? McDonalds?

Trail permits and maps? Where would be the best place to get those? Would Hinsons have it all?

Eating and drinking? I know the Mill and Brewery which aren't too far from our hotel, but are there any more good places you would recommend?

Thats all I can think of right now. It is challenging trying to convince a few of us that we are driving 15 hours to ride a 60" base (according to snotel) and leaving our 100" base 3 hours away. I keep telling them it will be the trip of a lifetime, and Im ready to see new country. Hell, I haven't even been west of Laramie yet. Just the road trip on the way out will be worth it. Only 8 more sleeps.

 

[PowderEatin]

You guys are definitely hardcore to drive 15 hours for riding at McCall!! If you've never done it, maybe it's worth it. However, if you've never been west of Laramie you're going to drive 5-6 hours past a helluva lot of good riding. I went to college in Laramie and rode the Snowies----if that's what you're used to, get ready for a MUCH bigger area at McCall----the mountains just keep going. The only thing holding you back is Wilderness. Same thing at Togwotee---I grew up riding around Dubois/Togwotee. The mountains are endless it seems like. Cooke City---best snow conditions in Montana this year from what it sounds like. Togwotee doesn't have much nightlife unless you stay in Jackson and Cooke City doesn't have much either.

A buddy rode McCall on Saturday and it was great, of course because it snowed last Wed, Thur. Another 8 days until you get here.....who knows. They're predicting rain at "lower elevations in the mountains", meaning in the town of McCall. Could be unloading in the rain and hitting snow a little further up in the ride. The sun could also be shining, who knows. That being said, you're better off taking your chances on the weather in mid-March at a place like Togwotee where you unload at 9600' instead of 6000' like McCall.

When you come to McCall Hinson's should have everything you need for maps and permits. I don't think there's any other fast-food. The Brewery is good food for sure. Good Luck!

 

[smokinskidoo]

Was in McCall this past week and the snow was great, deep powder. There were also several avys. If they continue to get snow the avy dangers is olny going to get worse. There is only a subway as far as fast food. The yatch club is a fun bar on the weekends. Its alot quiter on the week days. McCall is one of my favorite places to ride it is just endless. Have fun but watch the avys.

 

[F-Bomb]

McCall is world class! You are also hitting it perfect as it has been pretty skinny this season but on FRI it was epic and it looks like we are in for a nice late season push. It is supposed to snow all week and hopefully more past that. Just like any place on earth if the snow is deep and the sun comes out it will be worth the effort. If it rains in town it's no big deal. We could have another 2-4 ft plus by the time you get here and that will help a ton. Also note so far the second best day of the year it was raining HARD at the little ski hill (slightly above town) and in town BUT DEEEEEEEEEEP FLUFFY YUMMINESS were we actually ride. Fear not as McCall is not were you ride..it's were you eat, sleep and drink.

Google earth and pick out and PRE PLAN your riding off of Warren Wagon Road (either side of the road from 2 to 30 miles from Francis Wallace parking lot towards Warren)...Beyond upper Brundage Parking lot from the upper lake (Goose and Hazard Lake Areas) Just those two GIANT areas will keep you busy for about five years worth of some of the most extreme mtn tree riding on the planet. There are guys that ride darn near every day in those zones and still haven't covered it all (for years). GET OFF the beaten path and play. 99% of the traffic will be within 1/2 mile of any of the marked trails...including all of the famous climbing bowls and lakes. There are hundreds of other lakes and drop in climb out bowls all around the area that never get touched. The other 1% is fabulous from mild to extraordinarily wild.

Leave your daily ride plan at the hotel front desk and verizon wireless gets pretty good reception in alot of the higher NW facing areas. Be safe and smart we are starting to see a lot of slides now...call the daily avy report and follow it. THEY are right on every day!

 

[ADRENALINE]

Not sure what ND is like, but McCall is awesome! Fun on the weekends, tons of deep snow right now (seriously be very careful of Avy, not ****tin around its steep and deep). I like west mountain south of McCall for the trails, Warren Wagon and Brundage are great.....lost lake....reason why its called that....unreal! Trails are some of the best and the people bend over backwards for you! Enjoy your trip....might just go there for the heck of it on that weekend! Like other have said, you couldn't ride all of this area in a lifetime....well maybe...at best you could try!

 

[meadowoodlodge]

need a place to stay

give us call let us know you saw us on the forum get a discount.

the riding has been great.

bring a beacon.

 

[sleddinhusker]

Thanks guys.

Powdereatin - We've been riding the Snowies for 25 years, and it is some of the best there is. Besides size, what do you think are the main similarities or differences between the two areas? Tog and Cooke would definitely be closer. The main reason we are going to McCall is to meet a buddy from WA. He drove out here to sled with us for two weeks a couple years ago at the snowies. We figured it was the least we could do to go to McCall for five days. So, I wouldnt call us hard core. hahaha

F-bomb - Good idea about leaving a plan with the motel. Ive been staring at Google earth for two months now. I still don't understand how you guys can wake up in the morning, walk outside, and decide where to go. In the Snowies where we ride, there is pretty much just one mountain and you ride around it, basically. Its only about 15 x 15 miles, and we still haven't seen it all. I think our plan for the first day is to park at FW, up U to T, then just start working north toward Stater meadows and Granite lake. See whats out there.

And just so everyone knows, we aren't what I would call oblivious flatlanders who don't know what they are getting into. We come very prepared to stay on the mountain, avy equipped, and are pretty much ready for anything thrown at us. I have all the maps, and have imputed major trials, intersections, and other notable points into the GPS. Also found the Avy report and by the sounds of things, I might have to put some reins on a couple of my guys. When it comes to a climb, a few have trouble holding back unless I do something about it. Anything else you think we might need?

Also, if any of you who ride there have buddies that can't ride during the week or something, we would have no problem with someone showing us around. Just let me know.

Once again, thanks.

One more week!

 

[Smitty]

Beacons

I would re-emphasize the importance of not only bringing the beacons, but make sure all of your riders are proficient in using them. We Rode last Fri/Sat, and Fri alone we were too close to / involved in 4ea. 200yrd plus long avy's.

Smitty

 

[F-Bomb]

Yep agreed!@ It's weird in McCall right now. The stuff we were involved in cut to the rocks/ground so it tells us that this last snow is actually sticking good but its weak clear down at the base and since we are finally getting some volume and weight there is added danger. McCall is not notorious as a bad slide region so this is pretty concerning with as little volume as we have and seeing the amount of small but deep action as we are now getting. It's tough to be smart because we now have some awesome riding conditions and fun play areas that normally would be very solid are sloughing off. I'm thinking we will see a few monsters rolling down some of the east hill chutes with this weeks snow. Hope people use good judgement (ESPECIALLY MY RIDING BUDDIES...YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!) I don't think we are done seeing some tragedy up there.

WOW that was not a fun add to this guys vacation trip! Maybe we will get so much snow like this time last year that they won't be able to get up to any dangerous spots! That would be fine by me

 

[rmk 700]

I would re-emphasize the importance of not only bringing the beacons, but make sure all of your riders are proficient in using them. We Rode last Fri/Sat, and Fri alone we were too close to / involved in 4ea. 200yrd plus long avy's.

Smitty

was that on really steep things or just like normal

 

[sleddinhusker]

Maybe we will get so much snow like this time last year that they won't be able to get up to any dangerous spots! That would be fine by me

Ha ha ha, you and me both. Great points guys, no such thing as too much warning. I've already started telling the guys we need to really watch ourselves. But, don't let that stop the snow. It looks like there is a good chance for quite awhile.

 

[F-Bomb]

The magic is happening! YEA it's piling up.

 

[rmk 700]

The magic is happening! YEA it's piling up.

is it been snowing

 

[meadowoodlodge]

38 degrees

you should know what 38 degrees looks like. 38 degrees is the pitch that is most likely to slide. trust me its not very steep. grab a slope indicator and take a look some time you will have new respect for the terrain you ride.

 

[sleddinhusker]

Alright, looks like the snow is coming down. Simply amazing

Ok, a couple more questions.

Parking? What are the parking lots like, say, FW? Are they big with plenty of room? Do you have to be there at the buttcrack of dawn? Any specific ways to park? We will have two four place trailers. I know how one moron can ruin screw everything up, and we dont want to be those guys. Any info or tips would help.

Cabs? McCall has a cab service right? Reasonable prices?

Thanks guys. 5 more sleeps

 

[Jkinzer]

the parking lots are good sized... fw being the biggest as long as your are to the lot by 10am mccall time you shouldnt have problems getting a spot... a coulple weeks ago i was down there on a thursday at the upper brundage lot, got there at 9am mccall time and got the last spot in the lot itself... it was nutz. usually weekdays there is plenty of room and on saturdays and sundays just try to be there by 10ish mtn time and you should be good.

 

[PowderGirl]

Yes, be careful out there! I dont recall ever seeing so much activity in McCall as we did this last weekend. Very alarming! Thankfully McCall is a boondockers paradise - the terrain is endless for tight tree riding and bumpy meadows and drainages.... there is no need to risk it on the hills while you can have the time of your life everywhere else right now!

And it's coming down pretty good right now - weather alert is calling for 6 -10 in the valleys, 16+ up high through tomorrow morning. Saturday looks to be the day to rip it up then more snow in the forcast for several days next week so the following weekend should be sick!

 

[F-Bomb]

Parking....upper lot Brundage you need to get there well before 10am to insure a space. There is a lower lot HUGE at the highway before you head up the hill that is almost always available. There is no road parking during the ski season on the Brundage Road so you either get a space or you go down to the highway.

tip of the day...the best riding and access is from the lower lot at Francis Wallace. It's further if you want to ride the gooselake brundage res bowl hoping loop but you can ride up over Coppet and be there in a few minutes. Plus you get about 15 miles of killer boondocking on your way...which is why you are there anyway. About half the time we have so much fun on that hill we don't ever even make it into the lakes side of the mtn....also there is litterly miles and mile and miles of riding on either side of Warren Wagon Road from just past the trail head clear up to Sesach Summit. It's dumping now and this is the best boondocking country on the planet if we get the snow. I think you guys hit it perfect.

You can get there anytime day or night..the actual lot is always full with overnighters and early birds. Just park on the road! You go past all of the rigs lined up (it's a one laner) and turn U around right at the trail head without going down into the lot. Back past all of the rigs and park on the right side..you can be a mile or two down the way from the trailhead..it doesn't matter. NO hassles and easy leaving without being reliant on some idiot or mass of idiots down in the madness of the actual parking lot. I rarely go down into that lot as its just so easy to stay up on the road unless we are overnight.

or we ride from the house if the snow's right! YEA

THEY ARE ON RED ALERT FOR DUI'S IN MCCALL. DO NOT RISK IT EVEN REMOTELY. THERE ARE A TON OF COPS WITH NOTHING TO DO BUT PULL GUYS OVER ESPECIALLY AT THE PEAK DRUNK TIMES. YOU SHOULD BE SMART ENOUGH TO NOT DRIVE ANYWAY BUT JUST REALIZE THEY ARE REALLY AGGRESSIVE (which is to the good!). They don't have cabs...they have guys that will give you a ride for a donation wink! Use them no matter how short your trip is! We do want your $4,500 but not that badly and we don't want anyone hurt while youre here!

 

[Fireline]

Hello matt, I am so stoked to ride with you guys again. It has been snowing here at 600 feet and I hear from numerous sources that it snowing in ID too. I have been telling Jetpilot that you guys should really invest in probes. They are way overpriced but without it you could dig right next to the person or sled and never find them. Hope your side of side of the trip goes without issue. I'm going to take my time getting there and pray for no accidents or dilemas. I dont want to see another fatality rollover like I did on the way home. I leaving monday and riding at a few places along the way. See you all wednesday.