Time to start the Black Hills conditions thread. Today I moved my stuff to the Hardy Camp cabin and got it cleaned and set up for this winter. 8-10 inches on the ground around the cabin. I only rode to Trailshead and back a couple of times today. The crews that are installing trail signs have given up on using pickups to get around and are now using sno-cats. My new patrol sled arrived today and I spent some time this evening setting it up. Still lots to do to get it patrol ready. Probably will spend early next week on that project. Will start on trail inspections as soon as my sled is done. I may take the spare patrol sled and get some inspection miles this Saturday. Training for the groomer operators starts tomorrow morning. No new snow is predicted for the following week and temps in the high 30's to low 40's. Those temps will not do much damage this time of year.
Black Hills Conditions 1
- Thread starter sdsnocop
- Start date
I took time off this afternoon and Rode from Hardy to find the family Christmas tree. Some of the trails around Hardy and Trailshead were groomed today to train some new groomer operators. Trails actually groomed up nice. Rode some back roads looking for a tree and they were not too bad to ride. Rode through the trees looking at trees. 10-14 inches on the shaded slopes but not very good riding. Lots of stuff to hit but was able slowly ride through the trees without damaging the old 400 Indy I was riding.
Rode 80 miles today inspecting trails. Rode to Spearfish Canyon, near Cement Ridge and South on Trail 3. The only place I did not have snow was on the portion of 3B the loggers had plowed. Snow is heavy enough you do not feel the gravel.
Put 100 miles today on my new sled doing trail inspections. I spent Monday and Tuesday equipping the sled. I got most everything rode South of trail 8. Unloaded out of South Ditch Creek lot. Very thin at the lot but got better as I went North. It was thin around Deerfield. Best I found was 1 South of 8 to Six Mile Road and Trail 12. The portion of trail 8 on FS110 was plowed as well as the trails on FS117 (Boles Canyon Rd). The more heavily traveled roads which will be used as trails are very icy. Met the new managers of Mountain Meadow at Deerfield their names are Brandon and Cari, Very nice younger couple. Very little experience with snowmobiles but are eager to learn. They just took over in October. My goal tomorrow is to inspect the trails in the Lead / Deadwood area.
T
thierracing
Active member
looks decent on the trailshead cam. Got a trip planned the 7-11 of jan out there. by the looks of it the hills might have a decent base by then? its looking pretty promising to me! Thanks for the updates SNOCOP!
Completed inspections around the Lead / Deadwood area today. Found some ok condition, lots of miserable conditions, and a few spots that were not too bad. Very warm today, snow was very thin on most of trail 7. Felt I couldn't stop as the snow was melting from beneath me. Banged lots of rocks. Trail 5T was miserable, the worst rocks I have seen. Their had been a lot of work by the mine leaving lots of rocks on the trail. There will need to be a lot of snow to cover the rocks. I suspect I will be replacing carbides before Christmas. The bright spot was Trail 5 going out of Recreational springs. A snocat pulling a drag traveled from Hardy Camp to Rec Springs to push off down trees laving the trail in very nice condition for this time of year. The snow is still holding up top. Tomorrow is suppose to be warm and windy which will hurt some. It is suppose to cool off this weekend with chances of snow Saturday night through Monday night. I will be back to Hardy tomorrow. I have at least 2 days worth of trail inspections left to do. My new Skidoo should be off breakin mode by the end of this weekend. I currently have 40% left on breakin mode.
Duane
Thanks for keeping us updated it means a lot to us that are 5 hours away to get an accurate and honest report. Will you be up in the Spearfish canyon area 3 -4 up to big hill area again soon. Looks like you were up there about a week ago. We have reservations at SPF Canyon for next weekend and need to cancel by Monday if need. More curious about 4 coming out of SPF canyon lodge. Just want to get some miles on sons new sled. Thanks again
Thanks for keeping us updated it means a lot to us that are 5 hours away to get an accurate and honest report. Will you be up in the Spearfish canyon area 3 -4 up to big hill area again soon. Looks like you were up there about a week ago. We have reservations at SPF Canyon for next weekend and need to cancel by Monday if need. More curious about 4 coming out of SPF canyon lodge. Just want to get some miles on sons new sled. Thanks again
I will be running up Trail 1 and back down on Trail 3 tomorrow which will finish my inspections. Today was very warm and breezy which was hard on the snow. I would fully expect Trai 4 between the falls and Spearfish Canyon will be gone until the next snow. Today I went East on 2 and 5 to 2K and back through Black Fox and back on 2. Most was in not bad condition except thin and icy aound Black Fox. Also went South through Beaver Creek, Mallow Camp and Canyon Springs Some areas were OK and other areas were either tore up due to dozer traffic or plowed for logging activity. Carbides are still holding up adI have 13% left on brakin mode.
6
600_RMK_144
Member
Yes. I met Brandon & Cari at Hay Days. Very nice couple. I had to tell him of my terrible experience at Mt. Meadow's from two seasons ago. That old owner (Matt) was a total DB. I wasn't telling them anything they didn't already know. They are aware that they have long haul to get the name back in a good place. I wish them the best of luck, not an easy business.
I beleve you are refering to Brett and his wife from Recreational Springs.They were at Hay Days. Matt was the prior owner of the place. Brett nd his wife are great people and I am confident they will do a good Job.
Sorry Brett my mind has gone blank on your wifes name. Must be geting old.
6
600_RMK_144
Member
Yep. My mistake. It was the Rec Springs owners that I met. Given the conversation I had with them, nothing but faith that they will turn it around. Hope to get out that way again this season, had two straight then missed last yr.
6
600_RMK_144
Member
Not to get this thread too far off topic, but Mt. Meadow has new owners as well? I remember stopping there for lunch two seasons ago, a bit off the beaten path if I'm not mistaken. The owner at the time gave us a nice short cut across the lake, saved a full set of carbides I believe.
Had to trade my Skidoo for a Polaris today. Ran out of snow going North so had to transition to the 4 wheeler. Had rideable snow on 1 North to Trail 4A and Trail 3 North to Cement ridge. The rest to Big Hill was gone, nothing but mud and slush. The last 3 days were very hard on the snow we did have. We lost at least half of our snow most places possibly more in others. Snow is still rideable around Trailshead and possible down to Recreational Springs however I would not travel any distance to ride. A 6 inch shot would get us back to where trail riding would be doable as well as riding back roads. Trees are out of the question and meadows will be possible if you are very slow and careful. Local weatherman is predicting 4-6 inches for Sunday night and Monday. Cooler temps next week no more melting. I did drive Trail 4 today going into Spearfish Canyon and it is gone. Followed a Buick out and met a Saab going in. Trail inspections are done and due to the long several days I put in my hours for the work period is in and I will be off until Friday.
T
thierracing
Active member
Any snow in the forcast?? sounds like they could really uses a good storm out there!!
Heh, I guess this was a good year to plan on not riding much... coming out to ski with my girlfriend and her family so I will at least be able to come out over break, but I am sad that I won't be riding. Going to Cancun over spring break too 
.
Hopefully there will be decent snow out there come February!
.Hopefully there will be decent snow out there come February!
looks like sunday nite Monday and Tuesday there is very good chances of snow! keep fingers crossed!!!
