What are the current snow conditions?
Horse Creek snowmobiling is ‘great riding’; White Pine ski area will be open MLK Day
by Pinedale Online!
January 12, 2011
SNOWMOBILING
Gary Neely, from Bucky’s Outdoors in Pinedale, called in this snow condition report for the Horse Creek and Upper Green River Valley areas.
"There is still great riding," he said. "It’s not the powder we love, but there is a great base and there is a lot of country to ride in." He said there are still a lot of untracked areas to ride in, "you just have to go look for them!"
Off-trail riding is good with about a 50" base. He said that covers a lot of obstacles, but cautions riders to always be alert when riding off-trail where large rocks, stumps and logs can be hidden underneath the surface of the snow.
The Upper Green River area has "as good a base as the Wyoming Range," he said, specifically mentioning the Elk Ridge area.
The frigid cold temperatures we’ve had for the past week are expected to moderate for the upcoming weekend. Outdoor recreationists are urged to dress in layers and bring enough proper supplies for your activity. Avalanche dangers are rated as Moderate. See the link below for the Bridger-Teton National Forest Backcountry Avalanche Hazard and Weather Forecasts and for NRCS SNOTEL snow-depth reports.
Snowmobile rentals are available from the Rim Station, between Pinedale and Bondurant, 307-859-8229.
"If we get another storm, it will be excellent," Neely said. "Riding right now is good – with a little bit of powder, it will be excellent!"
The Pinedale Snow Explorers Snowmobile Club will be hosting a snowmobile ride to the Box Y for lunch on Saturday, January 15th. If you would like to go, please call Bucky’s Outdoors ASAP to sign up so they can get a headcount for lunch, 307-367-4561.
DOWNHILL SKIING:
White Pine Resort, located just 10 miles from Pinedale, is reporting 33" of snow depth at mid-mountain. Conditions are tracked powder with machine-groomed snow. The ski area will be open on Monday, January 17 for Martin Luther King Day. Full-day lift ticket for adults is $36/Youth & Seniors is $26. Half-day lift tickets are $28/$20. Lifts run from 9AM to 4PM. Meals and ski equipment rentals are available in the lodge.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING:
All trails near Pinedale are being groomed with skate and classic tracks. Click on this link for a ski trail map.
NRCS SNOTEL snow depth reports, as of Wednesday, January 12, 2011:
Wyoming Range:
Triple Peak: 52"
Blind Bull Summit: 53"
Snider Basin: 38"
Upper Green:
Kendall Ranger Station: 29"
Gunsight Pass: 37"
New Fork Lake: 26"
Southern Wind River Range:
Big Sandy Opening: 36"
South Pass: 40"
Weather Forecast for Jan. 13 – Jan 19:
Thursday, Jan. 13: Snow likely, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 27. Wind chill values as low as -10. West northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Thursday Night: Snow, mainly before 11pm. Low around 12. Wind chill values as low as zero. Southeast wind at 9 mph becoming west northwest. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday, Jan. 14: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Wind chill values as low as zero. Northwest wind between 8 and 11 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Northwest wind between 6 and 8 mph.
Saturday, Jan. 15: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. West northwest wind between 7 and 10 mph.
Sunday, Jan. 16: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
M.L.King Day, Monday Jan. 17: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33.
Monday Night: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Tuesday, Jan. 18: A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 26.
Tuesday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6.
Wednesday, Jan. 19: A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 24.
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