Steamboat Lake Outfitters Area

[galljr13]

Going up there this weekend with a small group. None of us have been there before. Is the snow deep enough to get off trail? Where would you all suggest an experienced rider on a good sled travel to find the deepest snow?

Thanks!

 

[PJ-Hunter]

Ask Zoomie. If anybody knows, it's him. I know that area but haven't ridden it yet this season. He rides it 3-4 days a week.

 

[marco7]

Rode out of columbine 2 weeks ago. Deep snow with no base.

 

[idareyou]

The snow is deep enough to go off trail. Still have to watch for a few land mines here and there. The snow is setting up. A few natural slides as there is a nasty layer in the snowpack.

 

[Zoomie]

We haven't had any snow in the last week, and according to the forcast, no snow for another week. We have enough snow above 9500-ft, but lacking at the lower elevations. South and West facing slopes can be thin. Because of the lack of snow, pretty much everything is all tracked up.

Rode Buff Pass (for work) on Tuesday, and it was hero snow up there. I think you'd be hard pressed to get a 136" track stuck up there ...real hard base with only a foot of week old fresh on top of it.

 

[sabels]

Just got back from a 4 day ride at SLO no problems off trail there are some thin area's and it is bottomless in the tree's but we rode 4 days and had no prob's staying in untracked snow all day each day!

 

[Pell]

Any pics??? Please post.

 

[PJ-Hunter]

We haven't had any snow in the last week, and according to the forcast, no snow for another week. We have enough snow above 9500-ft, but lacking at the lower elevations. South and West facing slopes can be thin. Because of the lack of snow, pretty much everything is all tracked up.

Rode Buff Pass (for work) on Tuesday, and it was hero snow up there. I think you'd be hard pressed to get a 136" track stuck up there ...real hard base with only a foot of week old fresh on top of it.

One good thing then, it's primed for a massive dump.

 

[144x]

Any new snow?

 

[Skippyspad]

Link below is from the state park visitors center looking at Hans Peak. They've had a couple inches in the past couple of days and it should start dumping tonight through the weekend. I'll be up this weekend.

http://165.127.23.131/view/index.shtml

 

[144x]

We are heading to SLO in four days, just wondering how much snow they have gotten out of the last storms.

Thanks

 

[Powder1]

We were at SLO last weekend and it seemed like they got around 2 or 3 foot out of the storm while we were there. Should be good snow for ya this weekend.

 

[Zoomie]

A week or so ago we got pounded with a few feet of fresh at the higher elevations. It was over the hood and in your face all weekend (23rd and 24th). We had a few sunny and warm days in the middle of the week, so all that new snow has settled. Covered a lot of ground this weekend, and what wasn't all tracked up before is now. We did a lot of boondocking, and found a lot of stuff to get stuck in ...break through the crust and your in the deep of it ...sugar snow. The good news is it was dumping like crazy again this morning, and according to the Weatherman, the storms are lining up back to back, so it should be good to go for the weekend.
I haven't ridden California park yet this year, but my buds are saying that they have good snow now ...finally! A friend reported he started an avalanche this weekend up on Sand Mountain, so be aware of Avi conditions when you ride.

 

[mblanken881]

I just got back yesterday from 3 days of riding and stayed at SLO. The snow was really good starting Thursday. I wouldn't say it was coming up over your hood but it was decent snow. On Thursday we made a lot of the first tracks in the meadows and in the trees. But by the time we were done riding Saturday evening everything was pretty well packed in. Definitely in need of some snow. Sounds like they are getting it though. We went to California Park on Thursday and Friday. If it gets a foot or two more snow, it will be really awesome riding.

 

[Lano]

15" Plus

On Monday we broke trail up towards whiskey park and there was 15" plus up north. We rode the trees and it was over the hood all day.
Lano

 

[PJ-Hunter]

NOAA weather forecast for the next few days, not too impressive.

 

[PJ-Hunter]

On Monday we broke trail up towards whiskey park and there was 15" plus up north. We rode the trees and it was over the hood all day.
Lano

But how deep was the base? That is the deciding factor, does it cover the landmines? Over the hood on a subpar base still isn't worth the drive, IMO. I absolutely love that area but if it doesn't have a great base I won't take the chance at riding it. I was up there 2 weeks ago and I saw fences, almost the entire height, sticking up from the snow.

 

[Lano]

Base???

PJ,

Base is lower than normal, but we rode three days offtrail and had no damage. Some of the meadows have holes lurking, but we stayed in the trees most of the time or rode the edges of meadows. I drove 15 hours each way by myself and the ride was worth it IMO. The snow on the last day was the icing on the cake.

Lano

 

[PJ-Hunter]

PJ,

Base is lower than normal, but we rode three days offtrail and had no damage. Some of the meadows have holes lurking, but we stayed in the trees most of the time or rode the edges of meadows. I drove 15 hours each way by myself and the ride was worth it IMO. The snow on the last day was the icing on the cake.

Lano

You are less picky than I am then. I won't drive 4 hours until it is ideal. If I lived up there I would ride it but I don't. I know what's under the snow there so I'll wait.

 

[Lano]

10-4

When I lived in Denver I could be more picky, now I kind of have to set my trips.
Lano