Washington riding?!?!?

[djp622]

Me and a buddy are trying to plan a road trip out of Utah. After some research its hard to believe with the amount of snow Washington receives that it does not hold a top spot for riding places on SnoWest's list. 7 of the countries 14 places that average over 400 inches a year are all withing Washington state. Can someone fill me in why this might be? could it be the cascade Concrete? Or is washington State the hidden gem I've been looking for? I always seem to hear about how the northwest just gets pounded with storms..... Would it be worth the trip? Keep in mind i'm in Utah were the snow is plenty....but the last two winters have been duds....

 

[summit800]

we get alot of snow,but the powder doesnt last long, temp change fast and so does conditions, we can get 2-4 ft of powder and in a day it can be settled and gone in a day , it does make for some really good boon docking !! if your going to come out watch for the big weather systems to be coming in from alaska, bring good googles !!

 

[snowhunter1]

Washington has a lot of great riding areas, from the steep and deep to great meadows that go on and on. Yes the snow can be heavy at times but there are days when we have snow that is as good as anywhere. Lite and dry, but can change during the day and get heavy due to warm fronts coming in off the ocean. Very few places you can stay at a hotel and ride the sleds to the hills (why the Mag's don't rate us higher) unless you camp at the snow parks that allow you to stay overnight. Every area gives you great scenery that the NW is knowing for! Baker, Bear Paw, Lake Anne, Van Epp's, Blewit pass, Gold Creak, Fish Lake, Green Water, St. Helens area. These are some of the best sledding area of the state, and there are plenty more, and sure people will chime in with this info. Just like myself would like to sled Utah and never been there, and hear all the great riding areas you guys have down. Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[BROX]

What he said.

we get alot of snow,but the powder doesnt last long, temp change fast and so does conditions, we can get 2-4 ft of powder and in a day it can be settled and gone in a day , it does make for some really good boon docking !! if your going to come out watch for the big weather systems to be coming in from alaska, bring good googles !!

I moved to WA from CO about 10 years ago. Having ridden all over CO and WY, I would take riding in the rockies over WA (except for really lean snow years in the rockies). WA gets lots of snow but just like summit800 said it can change in a matter of hours from really good conditions to 33 degrees and raining on the snow. The good thing is that creates a super base. Think of mid to late march base in the rockies except that it is all year long. The rapid changing conditions makes it impossible to plan a trip to WA. To get the good snow here, you have to be able to take a day off on short notice and ride in that short window during the storm before the temps go up. It dumped snow here this weekend but is now about 40 degrees and raining on the snow.

ps. Compared to the Rockies the snow here is not lite and dry even during the cold snaps.

 

[wasatchcomm]

What he said.



I moved to WA from CO about 10 years ago. Having ridden all over CO and WY, I would take riding in the rockies over WA (except for really lean snow years in the rockies). WA gets lots of snow but just like summit800 said it can change in a matter of hours from really good conditions to 33 degrees and raining on the snow. The good thing is that creates a super base. Think of mid to late march base in the rockies except that it is all year long. The rapid changing conditions makes it impossible to plan a trip to WA. To get the good snow here, you have to be able to take a day off on short notice and ride in that short window during the storm before the temps go up. It dumped snow here this weekend but is now about 40 degrees and raining on the snow.

ps. Compared to the Rockies the snow here is not lite and dry even during the cold snaps.

i agree with him

im from utah

quantity cannot be beat here in wa.

quality can be

even the best powder days do not compare to the 10k ' elevation pow utah gets(look at the license plates,,,,its true)

however, from a terrain stand point,,, wa is incredible
specifically helens and adams, they have it all

incredible places imo

 

[PowderMiner]

Washington has no powder it literally falls like concrete. It is even a little grey thanks to pollution from China.

We get a lot of snow, but no good riding areas. The people who ride the volcanos pack a bunch of beer to deal with the depression.

The trails are ok when not full of all the people from other areas that move here to work for Boeing and complain about getting to retire in 20 years. You really have to watch out for all the government employees that think they know everything.

I have rode over 11,000 miles since 2007 and it is all trail. I would try to ride off trail but can't pack enough fuel to get far enough to find any fresh stuff.

The magazines are right, it is surprising that there are even snowmobile dealers here. I'm sure they are a government jobs program and a cover for legalized pot distributaries like the ski shops.

Canada is ok too... I'd just ride Utah, you know climate change is coming so the snow will pick up again soon. Heck even Boeing is heading over there!

If you do come out here don't waste your time asking here about where to go, theses guys can't ride

 

[Ridersride]

Grew up in Colo and now Im stuck here in the so wet and never good NW , It seems fun until your wet and cold and the snow is getting heavier by the Sec ..Its for true storm riders, You'll need to bring 3 pairs of gloves 3 pairs of goggles its a pain just to pack for a ride up here. And don't get me started on the snow parks parking and grooming .. MAN its rough up here..

You need to hit WY that's the spot..

Yea you wouldn't like the NW Its rustic,

I mean It SEEMS FUN .. but I'm **** house crazy...

 

[line8]

Best to find spots that the masses don't go to. They are there. It isn't like riding 8k-10k feet in light dry powder because you aren't riding at 8-10k feet. Most riding is 3-6k'. It is true that usually a couple days after a good storm the snow gets pretty set up, but after or during a good storm I'm sure you won't be complaining. Picking your spot to ride based on the weather is important sometimes but not all season. Find some areas on the East side of the cascades at some higher elevations. Those areas will stay sheltered from some of the wet. But like some transplants have said, it sucks here, you'll hate it. I think I'll go get some skinny skis, a Prius and go look for a spotted owl.

 

[djp622]

This heavy snow dilemma seems to be killing everyones mood. Looks like I'll have to take a trip. Utah has seen such sh***y winters as of late that I think more wet snow is better then very little fluff. I have a buddy who comes from Lake Stevens but is completely inexperienced with snowmobiling. however he's letting me crash at his place. Would anyone like to point out the best area's to start with? I'm thinking Leavenworth due to the proximity to Lake Stevens. I understand that there is obviously spots the locals won't give up. We have those in Utah. I'm just curious were I should start and wether or not theres any powder guides out your way? Thanks for all the replies. It's put a lot in perspective. ride on!

 

[BROX]

You will love all the extra power, It will feel like a completely different sled.

 

[sunbather1969]

I've traveled all over the west for work with a machine

I live in Washington and can tell you theres all kinds of places i'd go before here in the middle of winter, our spring riding now that gets fun and long

 

[summit800]

This heavy snow dilemma seems to be killing everyones mood. Looks like I'll have to take a trip. Utah has seen such sh***y winters as of late that I think more wet snow is better then very little fluff. I have a buddy who comes from Lake Stevens but is completely inexperienced with snowmobiling. however he's letting me crash at his place. Would anyone like to point out the best area's to start with? I'm thinking Leavenworth due to the proximity to Lake Stevens. I understand that there is obviously spots the locals won't give up. We have those in Utah. I'm just curious were I should start and wether or not theres any powder guides out your way? Thanks for all the replies. It's put a lot in perspective. ride on!

wait until about feb, seem like we get most of our snow after the new yrs, come on down and I'll take you into st helens ,you wont be disappointed

 

[djp622]

wait until about feb, seem like we get most of our snow after the new yrs, come on down and I'll take you into st helens ,you wont be disappointed

Sounds good!! The closer it gets the more clear the trip details will be. Ima hold you to it!!

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[line8]

Bluett pass is near Leavenworth. Probably will be good Jan. and into spring. A drive south to Mt Adams will be good most days after mid December, areas out of Yakima will probably be good most days January on.

 

[Wolverine12]

I normally go up to Cumberland, it is a local mountain that no one goes to, and it's peak is a little over 3k. Since no one goes to Cumberland you will be breaking trail; if the orv haven't been up there. Sure it is mostly on logging roads but there are a couple of meadows off the road and when the snow gets deep enough we boondock to a higher up meadow. The thing is that Cumberland is mostly in a hole and gets dumped on, normally not dry and fluffy but isn't wet and nasty like what everyone else says. Keep that in mind I have only been to Baker once and enjoyed it because no one was there and they plowed it, and I did not know they were going to plow that day either. But I would try the east side there is some good snowmobiling in there too, and yes the best time to go is mid February. Seems to be the only time we go to Leavens Worth and Cle Elum is in the middle of February.

 

[Cascade Addiction]

I'll show you mine....you show me yours. Planning on hitting Utah this winter on way to CO on a loop trip this year. Have done backcountry skiing there and the main resorts in the Salt Lake area, but would like to see the snomo side of things. Nothing compares to lake effect powder! PM me when you get close to coming and maybe we can get a ride in. WA is not as bad as most are making it out here, Cascade crest and west can be as described, but Crest east is will hold it's own with some of the best powder available in the country, just have to no where to go and when. The direction in which storms come in, dictate the type of snow that falls, and where you need to go to get the goods. I've had more over the hood blower powder days in Eastern WA and North Idaho than anywhere else. Good luck, hope to run into you up here.


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[djp622]

Looks like we have a deal. Hopefully the snow falls good and plenty so your trip will be as good as mine. Thanks for all the inputd guys!!! WA here we come. Next question: How do I go about making my sled legal in washington? Is there a three day sticker or do I have to get out of state tags? Do they sell that at the dmv or local gas spots or sled shops?

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[BROX]

I print this page for out of state snowmobilers. It says that a snowmobile can be registered in another state. It worked the one time we were checked by a sheriff and had an out of state sled in the group. He wasn't sure at first but once I showed him that page he said that was fine.

http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/snowmobiling/permits/

I wish all states would honor other state registrations, it would make things a lot easier.

 

[Barrettc]

Washington has a lot of great riding areas, from the steep and deep to great meadows that go on and on. Yes the snow can be heavy at times but there are days when we have snow that is as good as anywhere. Lite and dry, but can change during the day and get heavy due to warm fronts coming in off the ocean. Very few places you can stay at a hotel and ride the sleds to the hills (why the Mag's don't rate us higher) unless you camp at the snow parks that allow you to stay overnight. Every area gives you great scenery that the NW is knowing for! Baker, Bear Paw, Lake Anne, Van Epp's, Blewit pass, Gold Creak, Fish Lake, Green Water, St. Helens area. These are some of the best sledding area of the state, and there are plenty more, and sure people will chime in with this info. Just like myself would like to sled Utah and never been there, and hear all the great riding areas you guys have down. Good luck and hope this helps.

Washington is terrible. If you like rain and trees come visit.

 

[m7john]

Looks like we have a deal. Hopefully the snow falls good and plenty so your trip will be as good as mine. Thanks for all the inputd guys!!! WA here we come. Next question: How do I go about making my sled legal in washington? Is there a three day sticker or do I have to get out of state tags? Do they sell that at the dmv or local gas spots or sled shops?

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i'm thinking if you are registered in your state you don't have to get anything here. i'm sure someone else will chime in.