South Forks Riding Areas and Conditions

[jwebb06]

Me and a couple buddies from Iowa are really getting the itch hearing and seeing all the recent snow falls. Have always wanted to ride CO but never have yet, just WY primarily. Where are some good areas to ride in CO? We know Burandt does his BBA around the Buena Vista area so Im sure there are some good areas around there? Also have seen some posts about the Grand Mesa area being good? Also heard about the Rabbit Ears area? The latest area I heard and looked into and got pretty excited about from stories and pictures is the South Forks area in which I believe Matt Entz does his Mountain Skills out of that area? Was just curious if anyone had any ideas on snow conditions right now in any of these areas with emphasis on the South Fork area. Also and help with lodging in these areas or tips on good riding spots in these areas would be greatly appreciated! Also any other areas people prefer would be cool to know about as well. Thanks!

 

[skicopper]

I'm from omaha. We are considering going out to RE for the weekend. I'll update condishes if we go!


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[Drewd]

Uggh, I live in CO and am waiting for more base to build before going out. We've have a spate of littering by riders so please pick up your broken a-arms and take them home with you if you do decide to ride.

I live 3-4 hours from most of the good play areas in CO and wouldn't waste my time driving from Iowa.

If you decide to drive from Iowa, please bring me some Whitey's Icecream and a Quad City Pizza.

 

[jwebb06]

Uggh, I live in CO and am waiting for more base to build before going out. We've have a spate of littering by riders so please pick up your broken a-arms and take them home with you if you do decide to ride.

I live 3-4 hours from most of the good play areas in CO and wouldn't waste my time driving from Iowa.

If you decide to drive from Iowa, please bring me some Whitey's Icecream and a Quad City Pizza.

I havent heard of either one, sorry... Im from Western Iowa. Also, I understand some locals dont like to give out their favorite riding spots or honey holes or will falsely report snow conditions so others dont come out and track it up. Since you live 3-4 hours from all the good areas, can you give some insight on the good areas and places to stay at all, it would be greatly appreciated!?

 

[Lopsangsherpa]

RE : stay in steamboat unless you want a real cow poke experience then stay in Kremmling. I don't drive far enough south to tell you about South Fork so sorry on that. Lots of good riding for me along I70 outside of Denver like Jones, Corona, and even places outside of Vail or the obvious Vail Pass. We have a place in Salida which I like to ride BV or St. Elmo etc. great area but snow isn't really there yet. Regardless, snow is close but I wouldn't make that drive either. Did we make 2-3 foot pow turns this week? Yes, but only because we mountain bike in the summer and know where the big rocks sitting 4" under the snow are "probably" sitting. Seriously, wait like 2 weeks for the northern mountains. South Fork area is probably damn near ready but is still wait. It only gets better.

 

[Drewd]

The folks who don't want you riding in CO, would ignore your post instead of replying to it.

I used to live in the Quad Cities and got hooked on the local icecream http://www.whiteysicecream.com/ and unique pizza flavor of Quad Cities pizza-yummy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_City-style_pizza

If snow was good now, I'd be riding it instead of tearing my wife's 700 engine apart and rebuilding it.

You want to come on out, go ahead we can't stop you. Most places still need more snow to cover up those huge boulders. We are the rocky mountain state for a reason.

Its your time, your A-arms, and your money. I'd just hate to see you waste all 3 so early in the year. Read the snow reports. One posted here said that Grand Mesa got 60 inches of snow but that off trial riding was still too sketchy and on trail was marginal still.

Be patient, the good stuff comes late in the season in CO. Late Feb-early April are the months where the snow is real good but I usually have one out once or twice by New Years Day.

I'm not the person to ask where to stay or best place to ride early in the season. Most folks seem to head up Rabbit Ears Pass early in the season to purchase new A-arms.

If I had to ride this weekend, it'd be on an ATV and not a sled. My ATV trailer is still in my driveway if that means anything-sled trailer is still in storage for at least another week or so.

 

[PJ06M7]

Utah...

 

[DDECKER]

they are all correct yes ive done 100 miles on my sled but most have been testing and tuning clutches and just road rides it is deep but with 0 base very risky..

 

[colorado_matt]

I've ridden 3 days around South Fork so far. Very little snow at lower elevations and ride-able with extreme caution up high. Glad to have the snow that we've had, but will not complain about more!

 

[thebigtreeman]

More snow needed

I was in So Co this weekend and yes, we need more snow. We were very cautious off trail. We need at least a couple more good dumps. Lots of stumps and rocks still showing and we only climbed/sidehilled areas we know well.

 

[goridedoo]

There isnt much in South Fork, I would stay at either the Allington or Wolf Creek Ski Lodge- they are across the street from eachother. Pagosa springs is a much larger town with more lodging and dining options but is a longer drive for you. Nothing wrong with South Fork if you arent picky.

If you are looking for snow conditions learn to use snotel and "mapclick weather" . Ski areas and local businesses will inflate totals and conditions to get you there.

There are a few places to park and ride from. Easiest is to drive to the top of the pass and ride from there. Cant miss it. Lots of trees and drainages, not a great place if your a beginner or like meadows, but the only place to ride this early. You can also ride from the Tucker Ponds lots, or the lower one (dont remember what its called but the trail from there goes up to Summitville) when the snow starts to stack up.

I would wait for more snow either way.