Rode yesterday. There was a dusting @ tree phones, 6" fresh heavy powder @ Clover flats, 8-14" in the back bowls, deeper @ the top of the climbs. Left a few 2' trenches in areas getting over the top. 4.5' @ the flag pole. The sign is still posted at Whites ridge with bare gravel for another 1/2 mile, then a nasty stretch of ice, then another long stretch of gravel. then more ice. If you're going to go, plan on chaining up & go to tree phones. Some people would do it with 2 chains, I wouldn't do it without chaining all 4. It's pretty nasty. I don't know if DNR will write a ticket for driving past the sign. It sure would be nice if DNR would gravel the ice & move the sign to Tree phones.
Tampico 2014-2015 #2
- Thread starter cascadesnowjunky
- Start date
BBP, thanks for the update. You saved me a trip up there just to scout it out. Was going to do just that over the next couple days. It sure would be nice if the DNR reported to someone as to what's going on up there.
Did you pull a trailer, sled deck? I don't have chains but i do have BRAND new rubber and a sled deck so i'm wondering if i'd be ok. Not to pleased with the 1/2 mile stretches of gravel you speak of. 205 miles on a new sled and it's making me sick! And those miles started last spring.
I didn't expect the report to be so bad between Whites Ridge and Tree Phones. Sure would like to ride out of Tree Phones if possible.
Did you pull a trailer, sled deck? I don't have chains but i do have BRAND new rubber and a sled deck so i'm wondering if i'd be ok. Not to pleased with the 1/2 mile stretches of gravel you speak of. 205 miles on a new sled and it's making me sick! And those miles started last spring.
I didn't expect the report to be so bad between Whites Ridge and Tree Phones. Sure would like to ride out of Tree Phones if possible.
Don't even think about it without chains. I wouldn't recommend a trailer, but if you do, chain it up too. You can't walk on the ice, it's that slick, & it's uphill.
From the groomer meeting last week, sorry it took me a week to report this:
Signs on Red Saddle and Jackass will be removed. Signs on Middle and North Fork will be moved (already have or should have been) up to Whites Ridge/Tree Phones on middle fork and Snow Cabin on North Fork.
Lots of horror story's about people driving up; in ditch, almost over edge, going backwards where you don't want to, etc. Hence, why my rig is in the driveway - not worth the risk at this point.
Some people have made it as far as Eagles nest. At this point, drive up to where it is safe but before tearing up what little snow that we have left. Chains would be a must!
Grooming is still on-going on the top end; we want to continue to keep wheeled vehicles off of the groomed portion - hence the dilemma of where to put the road closed signs.
Temps have cooled down a bit from last weekend - probably making the ice worse.
Potential good news; an increasing chance of below normal temps and above normal precip starting the end of the month. To late for low elevations, but may give us at least a chance of some higher elevation spring riding.
Tampico
Signs on Red Saddle and Jackass will be removed. Signs on Middle and North Fork will be moved (already have or should have been) up to Whites Ridge/Tree Phones on middle fork and Snow Cabin on North Fork.
Lots of horror story's about people driving up; in ditch, almost over edge, going backwards where you don't want to, etc. Hence, why my rig is in the driveway - not worth the risk at this point.
Some people have made it as far as Eagles nest. At this point, drive up to where it is safe but before tearing up what little snow that we have left. Chains would be a must!
Grooming is still on-going on the top end; we want to continue to keep wheeled vehicles off of the groomed portion - hence the dilemma of where to put the road closed signs.
Temps have cooled down a bit from last weekend - probably making the ice worse.
Potential good news; an increasing chance of below normal temps and above normal precip starting the end of the month. To late for low elevations, but may give us at least a chance of some higher elevation spring riding.
Tampico
The reality. ..
Well here's the reality of the situation. Went for a ride up there today and I couldn't believe how bad the snow situation really is. No problem riding to Tree Phones. One big patch of ice that you can see in the picture but an easy throttle wrist and I crawled up it. I'll admit I was puckered going down but made it.
Then we tried North Fork. The sign is at Grey rock (?) Camp but should be at the intersection of Snow Camp and North Fork. That's where the solid ice begins.
So glad I have an alternative form of entertainment!
Well here's the reality of the situation. Went for a ride up there today and I couldn't believe how bad the snow situation really is. No problem riding to Tree Phones. One big patch of ice that you can see in the picture but an easy throttle wrist and I crawled up it. I'll admit I was puckered going down but made it.
Then we tried North Fork. The sign is at Grey rock (?) Camp but should be at the intersection of Snow Camp and North Fork. That's where the solid ice begins.
So glad I have an alternative form of entertainment!
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Pics...
I hope whatever snow we do get we don't berm the damn road too low and screw it all up again. Nothing wrong with driving up the road a bit to access riding.
Good news is the March forecast
Good news is the March forecast
WOW!!!!! I've never seen dirt at Treephones this time of year!
02/28/15 Update
Was snowing hard this morning at 0945 this morning when I left. Had 2-3 inches of wet new snow at that time. Temp was about 31F. Roads were slick with heavy wet snow (just packed on your tires). Snow let up about Herke's Quarry.
Green Lake at 1400 was 28F with an estimated 4-6+" of new snow. Forecast is for a bit more down low with another 3-5" possible on Darland. A chance for a bit more on Monday. The forecast(s) for cooler and wetter this week have gone
. Maybe some more this weekend, but, jeesh is getting late to save even a bit of this season.... 6-10 day forecast Temps near normal, precip below normal; 8-14 Temps above normal, precip equal to above normal.
What a sucky winter this has been; and now I have to start farming.....
Tampico
Was snowing hard this morning at 0945 this morning when I left. Had 2-3 inches of wet new snow at that time. Temp was about 31F. Roads were slick with heavy wet snow (just packed on your tires). Snow let up about Herke's Quarry.
Green Lake at 1400 was 28F with an estimated 4-6+" of new snow. Forecast is for a bit more down low with another 3-5" possible on Darland. A chance for a bit more on Monday. The forecast(s) for cooler and wetter this week have gone
. Maybe some more this weekend, but, jeesh is getting late to save even a bit of this season.... 6-10 day forecast Temps near normal, precip below normal; 8-14 Temps above normal, precip equal to above normal.What a sucky winter this has been; and now I have to start farming.....
Tampico
I am glad the groomer packed down the snow on the road, with out grooming ur skis would go straight through the snow down to the gravel.
I would not suggest leaving the trail below tree phones u will hit dirt, rocks, and whatever is on the ground that u can't see.
There is a lot of wind blown snow.
Most of the hills have good snow on the bottom half and nothing new on the top half. In the trees and north facing slopes will be ur best bet. There are some deep drifts. This one was about 4ft.
I would not suggest leaving the trail below tree phones u will hit dirt, rocks, and whatever is on the ground that u can't see.
There is a lot of wind blown snow.
Most of the hills have good snow on the bottom half and nothing new on the top half. In the trees and north facing slopes will be ur best bet. There are some deep drifts. This one was about 4ft.
That looks better! I hope it holds up at least another week so I can give it a try. Can't go this weekend.
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