Heading to Seeley Lake area, what to expect?

[sledaddict82]

I'm heading to the Seeley lake area on March 2nd for the first time. I've ridden outside Steamboat Springs Colorado once, and have ridden Cooke City for the past 4 years. How is Seeley compared to Cooke? I've heard great thongs about Seeley and am just wondering what to expect as far as terrain compared to the ruggedness of Cooke City.

And for you Polaris guys: What weights should I run? I have an 09 Dragon 800, In Cooke I ran 10-56's and was hitting 8200rpm, what weights should I be running in Seeley as I know it's a few thousand feet lower. Thanks in advance!

 

[518skidgine]

Seely

North fork went over 100" today , more on the way. There are a few bowls up the North fork of Placid creek. There is lots of tree riding.

 

[SLDHVN]

the snow is not stable at all right now, please be careful.

we triggered alot of slopes yesterday.

 

[team rfc]

^^x2

 

[WestMont]

10-58's for Seeley if 10-56's work in Cooke

 

[sledaddict82]

From the Missoula Avalanche website:
It looks like things are about to change, big time. Snow showers should continue through tonight with little or no accumulation; then…La Nina returns with a vengeance. A winter storm is expected to move across the Northern Rockies beginning Tuesday and produce 1 to 2 feet of snow at the higher elevations. Snow levels should rise above 4000 feet; this may mean heavier, wetter snow contributing to severe loading of the snowpack. By Wednesday there may be winds gusting to 60mph; massively loading leeward slopes. I would expect the avalanche danger to bust through CONSIDERABLE and go right to HIGH during this period. You probably won’t recreate with 60mph winds but, it’s going to take some time for the snow to settle down if this storm comes to pass and deposits its load on our existing weak surface.

Hope he's right as far as the 1-2ft of fresh goes, as for the avalanche risk, not so much.

 

[WestMont]

Avalanche danger is extremely high right now and happening now in avy terrain.

This is before this next storm coming thru that you speak of sledaddict82 as skisucca has pointed out. Just in the past week here in the northwest there have been 6 or more avy deaths not counting the numerous successful self or group rescues. It's anyone's guess as to how many close calls haven't been reported.

I would say there's a lot more safe areas in Seeley to ride than not but being cautious will insure you'll have a great trip.

 

[aadougie]

You can have a great time in Seeley without exposing yourself on open faces... I rode Monday further north and lost count of the number of slides we saw. A guy from Washington was killed the same day hill climbing in another nearby area with very similar snow conditions. I have never seen the avalanche danger as high...and since then it's been dumping more wet, heavy snow/rain - even at high elevation it is above freezing making the snow even heavier. Don't give in to climbing fever - stay safe - have fun!!

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302855

BTW...we run 62s in the pros...call Kurt's Polaris in Seeley 406-677-2833.

 

[HeadedNW]

We should be up there on the 2nd , Been riding there for the past 4+ years . We ride with alot of local folks and always have room for another

 

[sledaddict82]

Thanks for the advice. Snotel is now at 123"! Can't Wait to get out there!

 

[mc2stroke]

update???

A bud and I are thinking about heading out there, riding March 7th-10th. Curious how the conditions are now?

Thanks,
MC

 

[Scott]

Snow sucks. It only snowed 50" this past week.

 

[MNSLEDNECK56308]

Can someone confirm 58s are correct on pro rmk 800 for seely area?

 

[MURFDOG]

58's are going to be alittle light I think, I wouldn't run less than 60's or 62's.
Elevation there is in the 4-7 thou. range.

 

[Scott]

The lake is at 4k feet.

You'll do most of your riding from 4 to 7....as stated above.

 

[polhiker]

just got back from there i run 62.5 in my 2012 pro ran like a top set up by kurts in missoula,but justin can help u out atkurts in seeley,snow is deep.