I'm not familaar with the area, although i have some friends that live in Boise, is there good snowmobiling near stanely? We would be looking to rent sleds there, or are we better off going to McCall??? TIA -Jason
Stanley/ Sawtooths
- Thread starter jasondiekevers
- Start date
What kind of riding are you looking for?
Stanley has some trail riding but the off trail riding in the mountains is the best!
On a clear day the views of the mountains are the great!
They do rent sleds somewhere in town, just not sure where.
Only problem is at times Stanley can get real!!! cold first thing in the morning.
Stanley has some trail riding but the off trail riding in the mountains is the best!
On a clear day the views of the mountains are the great!
They do rent sleds somewhere in town, just not sure where.
Only problem is at times Stanley can get real!!! cold first thing in the morning.
Or would you recommend McCall???? Thanks! I have ridden Off-trail a lot, I have ridden Cooke City, Togwotee and Laramie, Can you drive right up to a hotel or is the trail a ways from town?? Thanks again!
Both are great choices. I don't spend any time in McCall, but I grew up in the Stanley area.
Stanley is much more difficult to get to, so it is often not as crowded. However, the community is much smaller than McCall so you won't find the nightlife. There are a number of bars and resturants in Stanley, but your choices are pretty limited. For the area in general, Stanley offers pretty much any type of terrain with some of the best scenery in the state.
What type of terrain are you looking for and when are you looking at traveling? Trails are great and they extend from town to all the good play areas, although, it is sometimes best to load up and drive, depending upon where you want to go and how cold it is.
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Williams Motor Sports has rentals, but I think that most of them are Polaris 550 fans. In addition, Smiley Creek usually has rentals as well.
And you are not kidding about being cold. -18F there yesterday.
In Stanley you can ride right from your room.
McCall you must trailer everyday to sled.
In Stanley we still trailer to 4th of July Creek or Smiley Creek, to ride, 10 to 20 miles I think?
We keep all the sleds in a heated trailer, and keep all our gear there also, that is the reason we trailer.
Two bars in Stanley
Two restaurants, pizza place is open once a week, at least last year.
McCall you must trailer everyday to sled.
In Stanley we still trailer to 4th of July Creek or Smiley Creek, to ride, 10 to 20 miles I think?
We keep all the sleds in a heated trailer, and keep all our gear there also, that is the reason we trailer.
Two bars in Stanley
Two restaurants, pizza place is open once a week, at least last year.
All I hear about in stanley is wilderness. Ive heard they have a good trail system but i know there is ALOT of wilderness surrounding that whole area.
If we rent sleds in McCall is the rental place close to the Trails??? Were looking for a little hill climbing, a little boondocking, we dont ride trails unless we are getting to the off-trail places. We will bring our own gear ( bibs, boots, Helmets Etc.) there will probably be only three of us. Thanks for all of the input this far!
You have the Sawtooth Wilderness to the east, and the Frank Church 20 miles to the North. Outside of that, it is all pretty clear sailing
Headwaters/Smiley Creek, the White Clouds (Pole Creek and 4th of July), Kelley Creek/Basin Creek area, Cape Horn/Banner Creek area are all great spots that are within 15 to 20 miles of Stanley. Once you know where things are, it is easy to keep yourself out of trouble.
McCall probably gets a little better snow, but if you want a varied terrain, no crowds and scenery, there is likely no better place than Stanley.
I don't know about McCall, but in Stanley, you can rent and ride. No trailering needed.
the grooming program in McCall is pretty much not happening because of management issues so you'd be spent before you ever made it to the good riding areas. you'd be better off almost anywhere else
But the grooming was so good last year. Picture show:
McCall
Stanley
Your choice.
Plus, I would vote for Stanley because greenies are trying to close all the good riding. But wait, aren't they trying that in McCall too?
McCall
Stanley
Your choice.
Plus, I would vote for Stanley because greenies are trying to close all the good riding. But wait, aren't they trying that in McCall too?
Missed you by a couple of days. I will likely be headed up on Friday for a weekend of riding. Let me know how the conditions are if you get a chance.
Thanks!
S
Soccerd6
Well-known member
will do - we're heading to Bull Trout in a little bit...
Sounds like fun. I see Banner has about 30", which is a little skimpy. Also the Bull Trout Lake area has too much timber for my taste. Anway, have fun and post pics if you got em'. If the snow is a little thin, try the Smiley/Frenchman/Headwater area. I see Vienna has 50" or so.
Check out 4th of July Creek, and the drop down to Washington lake. Never done the drop to Pole creek. Lots of open area.
