Snowies VS. Rabbit Ears or Walden CO.

[nytro-r6]

I have been going to the Snowies for a few years now... But was wondering if anybody has been to Rabbit Ears or Walden CO and how it compares to the Snowies.

Generally like to Jump, boondock and climb your occasional hill, definitely could care less to ride trails...the snowies haven't let me down yet... but was just looking to try something new and was thinking about trying Northern CO. Any info would be much appreciated

 

[CuzzinOlaf]

Only thing I didn't like about Rabbit Ears was trailering back and forth from Kremmling. It reminded me a lot of the Snowies (only 60 miles or less straight line miles) and had some nice snow. I know nothing about Walden. We stayed away from Grand Lake because we heard it was very touristy.

 

[Ollie]

Walden isn't that great.
There is "some" nice riding around there, but compared to the snowies or rabbit ears it is a 2 on a scale of 1 - 10.
The ears is fun, parking on the weekends is a nightmare.

Might want to try http://www.steamboatoutfitters.com/snowmobiling.php
Clark Colorado.
I rode out of there for 3 days. Lots of open riding. it is also close enough that you can trailer to the ears if you really want.

 

[yardfarmer]

Stayed in Waldon and rode out of Grizzly Creek 3 or 4 times. Waldon is a small town with a few hotels. Basicly the bowling alley is food and night life hub. Thier is a couple gas stations and a fancy restruant down town.

 

[Ryan-41]

Rabbit Ears is by far my favorite place to ride, but i liked the snowies also.

Rabbit Ears has a lot of boon docking and open meadows.

 

[yam_apex91469]

how's the early season snow vs. the snowies - particularly mid-December?

 

[scubba steve]

for early riding, I think the ears are better, Not near as many landminds. At least I dont tear up near as much down there. But there aint near the climbing down there either. Bars aint bad, alot of nice locals

 

[tmk50]

The best early season snow I have ridden in the last 10 years was at Rabbit Ears in 2002 (that I can remember at least - this is the trip we still talk about)

Mid December picture below -

 

[nytro-r6]

Thanks for all the replies... We are planning to go out sometime around the 1st of the year... And the Snowies usually have decent snow if its not wind blown or tracked up...

So if you go somewhere in Northern CO (Rabbit Ears or Buffalo Pass) it would be similar to the snowies, except more meadows and less hills? For some reason I was thinking it would have more hills...

 

[tmk50]

New Years in the Snowy's has become a zoo (like all of the other school holidays) the last few years. Lots of traffic at the trailheads and the lots are packed with people that either don't know how to park, or don't give a sh!t about anyone else.

If you are really bored do a search on Snowy Range parking - I can safely predict that another parking thread will be started right after new years this season too.

Last year we were up there for 7 days - the snow was decent at the beginning and the end of the trip - not so great in the middle of the week. (the snow gods did not cooperate!)

We had to go find the fresh, but still found it, had a great time, and will do it all over again this year

We have a place in the Snowy's, so for long trips it saves us a bunch of money, if we didn't have the place up there I would consider hitting Steamboat Lake for New Years. We ride there once a season for a three day weekend and I think that place would be fun for New Years (if they aren't already booked up)

tk

 

[ItDoAble]

Walden is a good place to ride out of. Lodging and food is cheap, but not a lot of options (small town). Check out North Park Inn and Suites.

There's Buffalo Pass, which is the north end of Rabbit Ears. Rabbit Ears Pass about 1 hr away. There's Gould to the east, but unless you know the area it can be hard to find the sweet spots. Also, west of Coudrey is Hog Park area which can be remote (no trails), and can be easy to get lost in (all looks the same). If you don't have good navigation/GPS skills, you could get into trouble. Encampment is about an hour or so away, also.

All these areas are less traveled than Snowy Range (most are). But if you're looking for a better chance of riding untracked snow without the parking lot idiots, it takes some effort these days. Obvious advantages and disadvantages depending on what you want (and your backcountry skills).

Ooops .. I've said too much already (forgot the first and second rule of Fight Club)!

 

[Himark]

Stayed in Waldon and rode out of Grizzly Creek 3 or 4 times. Waldon is a small town with a few hotels. Basicly the bowling alley is food and night life hub. Thier is a couple gas stations and a fancy restruant down town.

Affirmitive..

Felt same way. The ammenities are few and you better have spare fuel with you. We stayed at a old chitty hotel with a trailer house for a office there and it was around 160$ a night.

The riding was more open and found some good climbs but nothing like the Snowies. You will have to try it at least once to decide for yourself but IMO I wont be back unless the snow is crap at snowies and good in ears.

 

[Flyer]

We rode the snowies early December last year and there is a ton of powder and no base. The husband exploded a stump and did about $2500 front end damage. I bent and a-arm on mine and another guy tore up the front end of his Apex. I wouldn't hit the Snowies until New Years.

 

[yardfarmer]

Good advice..., if you can resist the call of the wild.., I know I can't!

Dec 08 carnage