What about walden??

[jd440]

Making our first trip to CO the last weekend of February. We are thinking about staying in walden.
A few questions is which direction from walden is gonna take us to better riding. Our group isn't about chutes or anything like that. We just want to play in the trees and meadows and maybe a good hill or two. We wish we could play the weather game and go on a drop of the hat if they get dumped on but work schedules won't allow for that.
Also, depending on which direction for better snow. is there a closer or better place to stay to save drive time/$$???
We are coming from the Sioux Falls sd area so it's gonna be a long ride.
I appreciate your input and can't wait to get into some serious fun.

Oh and is there any boundaries that we need to be aware of when riding so we don't get into trouble?

 

[rags319]

We stay in Walden couple times a year. We stay at north park inn. It is a nice clean hotel and Dave (owner) is a good guy. My buddy grew up with him in Iowa. Best riding is probably buff pass which is north side of rabbit ears. About 20 min drive to parking lot. If there is a storm may not be able to get to lot although they do a pretty good job of plowing. Aslo could ride Gould which is about same drive for something different. Rabbit ears is probably 40 min drive and highway goes right buy parking lot. Do not go in wilderness areas. Ski area are also marked as no snowmobiling. Call chamber of commerce and they will send you a map.

 

[bushy]

Lot's of good riding every direction from Walden. Dave's North Park Hilton has a hot tub and nice rooms. Buff pass at Grizz Creek is 35 minutes away, Rabbit Ear's is less than an hour, Cameron Pass area is 35 minutes and the snowies are close too.

 

[milo303]

Making our first trip to CO the last weekend of February. We are thinking about staying in walden.
A few questions is which direction from walden is gonna take us to better riding. Our group isn't about chutes or anything like that. We just want to play in the trees and meadows and maybe a good hill or two. We wish we could play the weather game and go on a drop of the hat if they get dumped on but work schedules won't allow for that.
Also, depending on which direction for better snow. is there a closer or better place to stay to save drive time/$$???
We are coming from the Sioux Falls sd area so it's gonna be a long ride.
I appreciate your input and can't wait to get into some serious fun.

Oh and is there any boundaries that we need to be aware of when riding so we don't get into trouble?

Honestly I recommend just going somewhere in Wyoming... We're crazy behind on snow and WY is not

 

[moonshiner]

If it was me I would decide where to go the week before. Tog has had some of the best snow thus far, but things could change for February. Might not get the first choice on lodging but there is usually some place to stay!

 

[jd440]

So just wanting to check in on the conditions around the area as we're getting closer to our trip. We don't have much snow to even fill the ditches here in parts of eastern south Dakota so getting a chance to ride in some real snow is gonna be awesome!

Another question that came up is what elevation is most of the riding up there?

Also. If there's good fresh powder when we show up is it a necessity to have prefilters on your vents or is it ok to ride without?

Thanks!

 

[mt.aero]

We are starting to get snow again, so things are looking up. It's been a good base, it just need a few more feet of fresh. There have been multiple layers of ice and there was just an avy on 'the overlook' near the ears before we got this new snow. With all the fresh snow that will be on top of these slippery weak layers, be careful and prepared when you are here....just a heads up.

Most riding at buff pass/rabbit ears will be from 8,500 to 10,000ft.

I don't use any type of aftermarket prefilter on my pro and I've never had an issue. My old Edge rmk was a different story. Anyone I ride with that has a newer sled uses the stock intake filters with no mods and no issues.

For boundaries, check out the map here: http://routtpowderriders.com/uploads/WinterRec200910WebMap.jpg (quality is a little chit, but it will give you the general idea) Some areas are really well signed and others not at all. I know the Forest Service office in Steamboat has these same maps for free in good quality at 11"x17", but not sure about the office in Walden.

 

[Covelli44]

Last rode Rabbit Ears on Thursday the 5th. They had received some decent wet snow, not the typical CO champagne. But it was still snow! There was plenty on the ground to cover everything, just not the extra POW on top. Similar to spring type snow and riding conditions. Made the drive from IL and it was definitely worth it. I would imagine Buff Pass would be the same conditions.


I use the Frogskinz vent covers for my stock sled, or the stock Ski Doo vents, whichever is cheaper. Necessary? I would say not unless it's fresh and deep.

Riding areas - there are plenty and the X country granola area is clearly marked. No worries on accidentally going into that area. Have fun!

 

[Hillside]

Anyone ever been to the walden dunes this time of year to play on ATV's or utv's? Thinking about checking it out or headeding west to Moab.

 

[Butta]

Earliest I've played on the dunes at walden is the middle of March, back in '12. However, I pulled out my Rzr today to get it prepped. Might try the dunes soon. Mid 40s for highs and no sign of any real snow in the forecast = Rzr time. Unless we get some good storms, my sledding is just about to end this year. Kids want to go to Moab in March.

 

[Hillside]

I may go check out the dunes this weekend. It all depends on how these next couple days turn out. Sounds like a good idea to go check it out. Or, I'll need to get after Moab

 

[jd440]

Getting closer and starting to get cold feet about walden area. Does anyone have a positive forecast for the end of feb???? Or should we consider somewhere else?

 

[Coldfinger]

Well, I've seen a lot of weather forecasters issue a two to three day out forecast and they can't even get that correct.

Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel came to town a few years ago expecting a huge snowstorm and we rec'd a few inches. They were filming at the end of the airport runway in the Jet Blast to get the blizzard effect for the viewers.

I'd guess it will start snowing.

Just kidding about the airport but they were filming downtown and not much was happening.

 

[Covelli44]

Getting closer and starting to get cold feet about walden area. Does anyone have a positive forecast for the end of feb???? Or should we consider somewhere else?

It is obviously your call. Like I said above, the group I was with had a blast and we are going again early March. It seems everybody in the west is well below average so I'm not sure going somewhere else will be significantly better than the other. There was plenty of snowpack at the ears. I'm assuming it is setup. It is still riding in my eyes!

 

[rags319]

Looks like they are getting snow now. Maybe a foot or so.
Looks to be colder next week also and maybe more snow towards end of week. Might be perrty good.

 

[mt.aero]

We got about 6 inches today and sounds like a foot or so by the time the storm wraps up.

BRING IT ON!!!

 

[jd440]

We'll we r headed out Friday!!!! Doesn't really matter at this point about snow conditions. Fact of the matter is that there is snow in co and nothing in sd. I have rode a total of 1.5 miles on hard packed slough drifts just to make it feel like winter here. Can't wait to get in some real ride time!


Anyone with pics or vids of recent rides in the walden area?!? If so please let me know which direction of walden it was! Thanks

 

[tmk50]

We rode buff pass today. 2 feet in the trees, probably 18 -20 in open areas. Trail out of the lot is pretty hammered, but once you get up top the riding was really good.

More snow on the way hopefully.

 

[Murph]

View attachment 250808

We rode buff pass today. 2 feet in the trees, probably 18 -20 in open areas. Trail out of the lot is pretty hammered, but once you get up top the riding was really good.

More snow on the way hopefully.

Oh yeah! We just arrived in Steamboat 30 minutes ago.

Jd440-- we are in same boat as you. No snow in Lake Tahoe. 1st time here.

Tmk50-- you riding tomorrow? Val (GF) and I have never been here before. We need to buy permits in the morning and then heading out. We ride trees, drainages, typical non trail, non chute, non highmarking boondockers.

Both on Pros, would rather poke in the trees and get stuck, forced to do uturns then ride trails-- hammered or not.

Beacon, probe, shovel, airbag equipped.

Just looking for someone, anyone?, who knows the terrain and enjoys riding more than BS'ing.

Murph
831. 464. 3458 (cell-- call or text)

 

[tmk50]

Yesterday was just a day trip for us - back to work today.

You may be able to hook up with some folks in the parking area - there were at least 10-12 rigs in buff pass lot, I am sure rabbit ears was the same/more.

Have fun!