Grooming Report - Starr Ridge & West 1/31/17

> 1/31/17:  Travis Heiple and Glen Johnston with Cat #2 from the Starr Snowpark west on FR 333 to FR 49, then north to Forest Boundary, back to FR 094, east to FR 4920, continuing east to U.S. 395, the south on FR 456 to the beginning

FR 196 - Starr Ridge to Dry Soda Lookout 1/30/17

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Location: Hwy 395 to Starr Ridge Summit; east on 196, 1mile on 3920 to Dry Soda Lookout

Road & Trail Conditions: Hwy 395 clear; patchy ice on curves toward summit

Snow Conditions: 3+' base, groomed sunday, skate ski tracks for 2 miles, snomo for 1; pristine groom thereafter

Skis on & temperature: 9:30am  20° (JD 26°  )

Skis off & temperature: 4:30pm  29°  (JD 34° )

Distance: 17 miles; maybe 1500' elevation with lots of up & down

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Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 9.5 (-.5 for sticky sno in aftn.)

Comments: groomed on sunday, super fresh & smooth, thanks to bill prophet. on the edge of sticky until about 2:30 & maxiglide wax applied then helped; also sno firmed up within 30 mins.  snotel showed 36 at 3 & dropped steadily thereafter. there is the line....

solid base allowed venturing off trail, only dropping 1-2"

off trail

skied to this same lookout from other direction 12/31.  entire road, 395 to FR 15 was plowed in dec. for logging; some activity started, looking like on pause for the moment.  more on the way.

you can also start at FR15 & ski west to lookout, a few miles shorter, less elevation up & down.

this road is the southern edge of the canyon burn & it is very educational to watch the process each year.

lots of good views, north to strawberry range & south to antelope & bear valley.  great views from lookout; today was overcast.

on return trip saw clouds started to break up through a gap with some great light on strawberry toward sunset.

forecast has chance of 1-2" at elevation each day this week.  great time to get out.....

Grooming Report - Starr Ridge 1/29/17

Bill Prophet in Cat #2 groomed FR 3925 from FR 15 To FR 196 (Slaughter Ridge) to Starr Ridge, groomed the sledding hill, then groomed to the Starr Snowpark. 

Grooming Report - Summit Prairie 1/25/17

SnoCat 1 ran from Huddleston east on the 1665 to the 625 and around to the 16rd then south on the 14rd to Antelope lookout turn around, back to summit prairie and up the 135, 101 and back to the shed.

See blue line (and short orange line east of Summit Pr)  on attached map

For you non-motorized users enjoying the trails please show your support by joining your local snowmobile club, no meetings are required, it takes a lot of time and effort to maintain the trail system and your support is greatly appreciated

I am glad we can help make your winter days more enjoyable

Cheers 

Dave

FR 1665 Loop - Summit Prairie 1/24/17

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Location: Co. 62 to FR 16 jct.  fr135 to huddleston snopark, 1665 to summit rock (1660 jct) & around east ridge to 478 west to 1660 & return to start.

Road & Trail Conditions: Hwy 26 clear; Co. 62 clear to last ranch then plowed, packed sno & ice

Snow Conditions: deep, deep, deep. groomed sunday, powder dusting on 135, 1/4-1/2" remainder. sunday ski tracks from huddleston 1/2 way up to summit rock; earlier monday (skate?) ski tracks last few miles 1660 to co.62.

Skis on & temperature: 10am  14°  (JD 24° )

Skis off & temperature: 5pm  24°  (JD 34° )

Distance: 20 miles;   elevation 2700'

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Rating (1-10; 10 awesome):  11+

Comments: skiing paradise for me - deep, deep snow, groomed previous day, powder on top, only ski tracks since, mid-20's temp., long distance loop, high elevation, great views, new trail.

this is the depth dave hannibal groomed on sunday.  the bank on left is over 8'
FR 1665 underneath summit rock

fantastic day

 

 

Grooming Report - Huddleston/Summit Prairie 1/22/17

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>
> I groomed east from Huddleston on the 1665 to Summit Rock and on east to the 478 rd. Back to the 16 road and lower lot to back to parking. The snow was very deep once you gain any elevation the going was very difficult and slow, only made 31 miles in 7 hours. The quality is not 100% so be aware of some rough spots.
> See attached map, black line is todays.
> Cheers
> Dave
>

FR 31 - Bear Valley 1/19/17

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Location: Hwy 395 south to Co 63 west, 12 miles to FR 31 jct

Road & Trail Conditions: 395 hazardous in am; much improved by pm.  63 plowed, packed ice.

Snow Conditions: fr31 groomed tues, with 4-6" since.

Skis on & temperature: 10am  32

Skis off & temperature: 4:30pm 33

Distance: 11 miles; 800+' elevation

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 9

Comments: with as much recent snow, finding groomed or snomo tracks is helpful.  even with groomed there was still 4-6" to break trail.  slightly warm temps made sno sticky, even with maxiglide before & during trip.  return in my tracks was much easier.

this is a lovely trip, all gentle climb at first & downhill on return. once at the top of ridge, flat for several miles, many open meadow areas, as 31 continues down toward FR 37.

can connect with snowshoe trail loop from 31; looked 2+' deep & no tracks when i went by