Muskoka Freerider: Arctic Cat's 858 Redemption:

[turboless terry]

I regularly ride around a place called Peter sinks near Logan Utah, the sink itself has the 2nd coldest reported temp in the lower 48 states at like -69.3. Give it a google if you wanna learn more. Typically it’s not that bad, but like I said above leaving the lot at -10 to -20 is not uncommon. Most days once the sun comes up it’s not bad, especially if you avoid the actual sink in peters. Usually by mid day we’re hitting around the 20+ degree range, although there has been days you leave the truck at -10 and ride all day and return at just 5 above. Don’t do a lot of sitting around on those days.

I think the coldest is up here at Lincoln At Roger's pass. It was 70 below

 

[Vern]

I think the coldest is up here at Lincoln At Roger's pass. It was 70 below

Yeah, that sounds familiar. Think there was like half degree difference or so.

 

[BBIS1]

Where are you guys riding that the temps are so cold? As much as I complain about the Tahoe area snow (Sierra Cement) I have to admit we have it good with regards to temps. The coldest I've ever seen it was 12 when we started riding and by mid-morning it was 25, by lunchtime it was 35. And with the sun it was even warmer.

I rode one winter in Montana (2005-2006) and remember getting frostbite on my temples where the cold would come in around my goggles. Brrrr.

I love living here in the Sierras. Super long seasons, tons of snow, tons of places to ride, and only rarely does it get cold. But having said that, I love Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming too. But my wife hates it there in the backcountry during the winter. Now that we have family there, maybe she'll change her mind.

 

[Rob.G]

I dunno about long seasons here... we don't usually have anything resembling a base til Christmas and the storms are usually done by the end of April. After that, it's just riding hardpack or somewhat soft melting snow. By the time we get to that point, I'm back to the dunes or trail riding at lower elevations. HOWEVER... since I picked up an M8, I might do more spring riding since it will be less apt to overheat. My Khaos would overheat and shut down just trying to get to play areas at Hope Valley (scratchers down ALL DAY).. like from up near Lower Blue over to Charity Valley. My Catalyst started complaining on the ride back to the parking lot at Yuba when it got up to 170 (scratchers NOT down) even though snow was still soft on the trail.

 

[BBIS1]

I put the new scratchers on my 9R and my Boost. They stay very cool now. I like to ride my 146 Freeride Turbo R more in the spring. It stays nice and cool.

Yes most years we ride about right now and it can be still sketchy. Great years like 17 we are riding deep by Thanksgiving. I usually ride until 1st week or mid May. Years like 2017 and 2021 a little longer.(early June)

One of my friends and I and were out today and measured snow depth. It was 7' at 8500(Lola). However down at 7000 there was only 2 feet. Pretty bad conditions with 1" of nasty rain induced icy hard layer on top clear to the top of the mountain. Everytime we'd dig a ski in it was dive, dive, dive. We are going to go over to the west side of the summit tomorrow with the hopes it stayed colder when the storm passed over. We talked to a couple out skinning and snowcamping. They said it rained for 2 hours when the storm passed over and then the wind came and dropped the temps quickly. About 1 pm it started to soften, but it was a little bit challenging.

 

[Rob.G]

OpenSnow says that Hope Valley has a 36" base. SnoTel claims that Blue Lake has 30". I'm wondering if there's really three feet at the sno-park. A friend says that Hope Valley really needs 5+ feet to cover up all the landmines. I'm considering driving down there Friday afternoon to recon the area for a possible ride there on Saturday... specifically to introduce a noob to the sport.

 

[BBIS1]

OpenSnow says that Hope Valley has a 36" base. SnoTel claims that Blue Lake has 30". I'm wondering if there's really three feet at the sno-park. A friend says that Hope Valley really needs 5+ feet to cover up all the landmines. I'm considering driving down there Friday afternoon to recon the area for a possible ride there on Saturday... specifically to introduce a noob to the sport.

We are going out tomorrow. Give me a call.

 

[Chewy22]

A couple of 858s that ride in this group went down this week. One had 400 miles 26 hours on it. Scary times!

 

[BBIS1]

A couple of 858s that ride in this group went down this week. One had 400 miles 26 hours on it. Scary times!

My new Expert Turbo R 165 went down with an exhaust sensor last Sunday with 60.2 miles. It happens to the best of them. It was 48" of pow and I was not happy! My buddies Catalyst did great. Had to go back to the truck and ride my 9R.

 

[Chewy22]

A couple of 858s that ride in this group went down this week. One had 400 miles 26 hours on it. Scary times!

He commented he did not have the updated mapping yet. So maybe that had something to do with it.

 

[ratlover]

Any idea what went on them?