2016/17 Alpine, WY Snow Report, Rockin' M Ranch

[rockinmranch]

October 18, 2016
The first valley snow came yesterday leaving a couple of wet inches here at the cabins. Local snotel sites have ranged from 14" at Blind Bull to 30" at Targhee Ski Resort. Some warmer temps are predicted for the weekend, so snow not likely to stick around except for the high country. The fall is proving to be very wet, let's hope it carries through the winter. I will try to keep this report as current as possible as I have through the last several years. I invite anyone with pictures or their own reports to post here.
Thanks...Rob

 

[M8Chris]

Thanks Rob! Appreciate the updates you do for us every year!

 

[rockinmranch]

11/28/2016

11/28/2016 Snow Report Alpine, Wyoming from Rockin' M Ranch
It has been a warmer than normal November for our area. Finally it appears that winter is here to stay. Snow and cooler temps are in the forecast for the next week with a bigger storm predicted for the weekend. We woke up to about 5" of new snow here at the cabins this morning and still snowing. Most snotel sites in our area mountains are reading between 15" and 20" on the stick. Jackson Hole Mountain resort is reporting 19" of new snow in the last 48 hours.

 

[Pro-8250]

Thanks Rob! Keep us posted.

 

[rockinmranch]

Just measured. The 5" from this morning turned into 10" by this afternoon.

 

[tuneman]

Sweet! Commissary is reporting a 29" depth. Don't know if it's a typo, but I'll take it.

 

[rockinmranch]

About 3" here at the cabins in the last 24 hours.

 

[rockinmranch]

December 5, 2016 Rockin' M Ranch Cabin Rentals Snow Report

December 5, 2016 Rockin' M Ranch Cabin Rentals Snow Report Alpine, Wyoming
This last storm really kicked the winter off for us. Most of the mountain snotel sites and ski resorts picked up about 20" from the last couple of days. Jackson hole ski Resort is reporting 23" in the last 48 hours along with Targhee at 21". Blindbull snotel site is at 29" total and over 30" at Spring Creek Divide (Afton End). The cabins picked up about 6" from this storm. There is now enough snow to get around the valley and trail ride the mountain trails. More snow in the forecast for Tuesday and a larger storm Wednesday and Thursday.

 

[rockinmranch]

December 9th 2016 Rockin' M Ranch Snow Report Alpine, Wyoming
Measured 5" of dry snow here at the cabins from the last 48 hours. Most snotel sites in the area are not working properly looks that most are 24-36". Heaviest snow predicted for tonight.

 

[rockinmranch]

December 10. 2016 Rockin' M Ranch Snow Report

The bottom 3-400 feet of the Valley received rain today. The good news is the high country is getting pounded. It looks like 18-20" of new so far. Willow, Blind Bull, and Spring Creek snotels all over 40". Cabin guests rode willow yesterday. Said many places chest deep. Cooler temps are supposed to settle in tonight with more snow in the forecast.

 

[M8Chris]

Rode in Star Valley yesterday and I was surprised how great the snow was. Great coverage and about 1.5ft of fresh powder!

 

[rockinmranch]

December 17, 2016 Alpine, Wyoming Snow Report Rockin' M

December 17, 2016 Alpine, WY Snow Report Rockin' M Ranch
The snow level stayed about 6500 for most of this last storm. Two days of a rain/snow mix crusted up the valley floor pretty well. The high elevations got a great hit of fresh. Over the last couple of days Blind Bull snotel went from 44" to 56", Spring creek is also 50" (not working properly), Willow Creek is now 53". The local ski resorts received the following in the last 48 hours, Targhee 20" and Jackson Hole 24". Besides the Valley snow being a little crusty, this is as good of conditions that we have had at this time of the year in several years. More snow in the Forecast for Tuesday.

 

[tuneman]

Thanks for your awesome reports! I'll be there in a week to finally try out my new X3 track. Can't wait!

 

[shortstuff]

How are you supposed to ride willow now that the parking lots are closed

 

[M8Chris]

How are you supposed to ride willow now that the parking lots are closed

Why are they closed?

 

[shortstuff]

I went up there Thursday and they had plowed all the entrances shut. No signs or anything. I called the sheriff's office to see if there was a reason it was closed. They didn't know anything about it. So I called a local that lives in thayne. He said the locals in Bedford were sick of the sleds. And the parking lots were private property. So we parked on the side of the road and went anyway. We were the only ones up there that day so it wasn't to hard to turn around but I can't imagine what's going to happen on a busy weekend when ten or more trucks show up. It'll be a Hell of a mess. When we got back my friend had found out a little more info and said the parking lots and the first qtr mile or so of the trail is private property till you hit forest service. He didn't know much just a few things he had heard. But he said he didn't think it would be to good of an idea to leave your truck on the side of the road from now on.

 

[rockinmranch]

December 26, 2016 Alpine, Wyoming Snow Report Rockin' M

This last storm put down about 4" here at the cabins over the last few days. Snotel sites look like another 4-8" up high. Most snotel sites are over 50". Jackson Hole ski resort is reporting a storm total of 12" and Targhee 10" As for the Willow Creek issue, I will do some checking. It is correct that the parking lot is private property, I would find it very hard to believe that the road leading to the forest is private. This is a frequently used road which the grooming is funded from your Snowmobile registrations from the State of Wyoming. I will do some checking and get back. For now, ride Strawberry!

 

[rockinmranch]

Here is the deal with Willow. I talked with the person who grooms the Willow trail system. Yes the lots are not plowed. The agreement with the owner of the lots has expired and the county has not put any effort into negotiating a new deal. The property prior to the Forest Service sign is private property but the Forest Service (American Citizens) have a easement through it. I was told the best thing to do is park along the edge of the road as everyone did prior to the parking lot. Be respectful to not block landowners driveways etc. The more of a problem that parking becomes the sooner that someone will have to resolve it. Send an email or call the Lincoln County Commissioners with concerns. Also the founders of KLIM also have a property across from the parking lots. Maybe they would consider helping out.

 

[FarmerTimBob]

How are things looking Rob?

 

[tuneman]

Not speaking for Rob, but they got another foot the last couple of days, with a huge storm coming this weekend. Should last all next week. Commissary got 14" and Blind Bull picked up 5" in the last 24 hours. Snow depth 66" and 62" respectively.

I was out there last week and we had amazing conditions for the time of year. Bluebird days and deep powder.