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Blackhills Conditions #2

sdsnocop

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Feb 3, 2009
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Around 2 inches new snow today on the North half of the system (trail 8 and North). It blew around a lot and filled in some trail section and in the trees next to the meadows. There is a crust in most areas unless you get to the deeper shaded draws or deep in the trees. Most of the meadow are tracked up. Trails are hard but smooth. Snow still holding into Spearfish Canyon except for some ice and small gravel strips the last mile to the lodge. Made it into Mountain Meadows today. 9 was good all the way across except for a few small bare patches by trail 2. I cut across the lake, snow is thin on the ice but just enough to keep the sled cool with scratchers. I was called to rescue some cross country skiers in the Eagle cliff ski area. Definitely the best snow of the week. Next week is suppose to be warm then chances of snow for the weekend. I would expect there will be some riding still next weekend but it will be shrinking. My patrol sled turned 8000 miles today, still on the original belt. That should be worth an entry to the Guinness Book of world records. 4400 miles of patrol for me this season.
 

longvalley

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Dec 21, 2014
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thanks snocop!

we really appreciate all your snow updates in the black hills and all you do for snowmobiling up there. Huge shout out!!!
 

sdsnocop

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Todays snow did not favor the riding area very well. The better snow fell along the East side of the Black Hills. 6-7 inches closer to Lead, 4 inches Black Fox to Dumont, 3-4 North of Trailshead, 3-4 inches South of Trailshead and only 2 inches here at Hardy Camp. Heard of 6+ inches at the very South end of the system. There is snow to ride but it is spring conditions. Off trail still heavy and wet. Most trails except for the East end have snow cover but it is hard with some icy spots. Todays snow freshened things up some.
 

sdsnocop

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Trails central and South are still in good shape for this late of season. Off trail is set up but soft snow cam be found in the deep draws and in the dark spruce. This was probably my last day of snowmobile patrol this year. I have a trip to the Horns planned for this weekend and have to be in Huron next week for in-service training. Unless we get a huge dump for the last two days it looks like this season is done. Parked my 17 Summit with just short of 8500 miles. Still on the original belt. This has been a 4900 mile season for me not counting personal riding miles. Cabin is cleaned and all my personal sleds have migrated home. Thanks everyone for a great season.
 

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sdsnocop

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Feb 3, 2009
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It was too cold Saturday to check fishermen and boaters so I went back up for 1 more day of snowmobile patrol. Cold day never got out of the teens. Trails were smooth and hard. Off trail was set up spring snow even in the trees. 3-6 inches of new snow on top made for some nice spring riding. Parked the patrol sled with 8550 miles. Spent Sunday back at the lake checking fishermen and boaters.
 

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bigrig

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Jan 13, 2008
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It was too cold Saturday to check fishermen and boaters so I went back up for 1 more day of snowmobile patrol. Cold day never got out of the teens. Trails were smooth and hard. Off trail was set up spring snow even in the trees. 3-6 inches of new snow on top made for some nice spring riding. Parked the patrol sled with 8550 miles. Spent Sunday back at the lake checking fishermen and boaters.

Duane, spent best riding trip in hills. April 2-4?? Maybe 10 years ago.
3-4 ft fresh on top on good base. Still seeking for this again. Passing on hills tomorrow, to horns.
 

sdsnocop

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Feb 3, 2009
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Hot Springs, SD
Duane, spent best riding trip in hills. April 2-4?? Maybe 10 years ago.
3-4 ft fresh on top on good base. Still seeking for this again. Passing on hills tomorrow, to horns.

I remember that. I believe it was 2009. Horns should be good I was there a week ago. Good base and they were getting good snow the day we left and I has snowed through the past week.
 
D

d dunwoody

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Feb 4, 2010
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A foot of new snow last night at iorn creek lake area .Early Riding sat mourning will be good. Still good base underneath. Spring bounas.
 
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longvalley

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is new snow worth 400 mile trip

Could leave tomorrow for black hills. Would you guys say its worth the trip? Ride sunday Monday.
 
D

d dunwoody

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Feb 4, 2010
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Rode last sat was very good till about 11:00 . Then it got sticky. Sounds like more snow this fri. Can’t wait to ride again still good base.
 

sdsnocop

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Rode a little Sunday evening and Monday day. Good spring base. I forced Todd the owner of Trailshead to go riding with me. We got a few good stucks in.
 

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sdsnocop

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Hot Springs, SD
Spent Monday night stripping my patrol sled of all the extra equipment. The pictures show how far we have to disassemble the sleds to install the radio and lights.
 

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