West Yellowstone/Island Park Backcountry Recs

[WNYsledder]

Hello!

Heading out to West Yellowstone/ Island Park area in late February to snowmobile. This will be the second time our group has been out this way and we will be renting Summit 850 154” sleds. Last year we did 70:30 trail to backcountry riding and are looking to do more off trail this time around. Does anyone have recommendations for accessing good backcountry terrain and/or a guide service that could show us the way?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MTSledder94]

Hello!

Heading out to West Yellowstone/ Island Park area in late February to snowmobile. This will be the second time our group has been out this way and we will be renting Summit 850 154” sleds. Last year we did 70:30 trail to backcountry riding and are looking to do more off trail this time around. Does anyone have recommendations for accessing good backcountry terrain and/or a guide service that could show us the way?

Thanks in advance!

The Cabin creek/ carrot basin area to the North of town is usually pretty good riding for all skill levels

 

[Pinchecharlie]

Ride Rasmussen?????

 

[Johnny T.]

You can't go wrong with most all areas out there. Black Canyon/ South Plateau usually has exceptional powder. The whole Lion's head area Idaho and Montana have great boondocking oppurtunities and climbing if that's your thing. Hebgen, Red Canyon/ Kirkwood are awesome areas as well as Cabin and Tipee in the north end. Every area has the perfect mix of big pulls, powder and tree riding. I've rode the area for 20 years and it never gets old.

 

[christopher]

You can't go wrong with most all areas out there. Black Canyon/ South Plateau usually has exceptional powder. The whole Lion's head area Idaho and Montana have great boondocking oppurtunities and climbing if that's your thing. Hebgen, Red Canyon/ Kirkwood are awesome areas as well as Cabin and Tipee in the north end. Every area has the perfect mix of big pulls, powder and tree riding. I've rode the area for 20 years and it never gets old.

Bingo

 

[wonderxc600]

2 more days. I can't wait

 

[mwboondockers]

we are staying in Island park next week but if we want to ride up the Big Sky trail north of west yellowstone is there a place to park a couple trucks and trailers out by where Eino's was?

 

[Pinchecharlie]

There’s a trailhead a littl farther up that last hill outa town on the right hand side going north. It’s pretty big ? Haven’t heard the name einos in forever lol. Not much help sorry. Could google earth it or onx if you have it. Iam pretty sure it’s the trailhead to the big sky trail but not for certain

 

[pointerdog]

There is the cemetery parking lot directly across the road from the Big Sky trail and then further to the south about a mile we have parked at the intersection. Either side of the road works. Both lots tend to fill up fast so getting there early does not hurt.

 

[sledheadmt]

There is a few spots to park around there. Just south of where Eino's was at the intersection of 287 and 191 on either side of 287 there's quite a bit of parking. Either that or just north of the entrance to Eino's about a half mile on the right is another. It's at the top of that hill and before you get into the big corners. The upper one seems to be more of a cluster if you have a trailer. Either way, I always try to get there early to get a spot.

 

[sledheadmt]

Has anyone been up cabin creek at all? Wondering how snow conditions are up there or if we should just plan on heading towards IP.

 

[Pinchecharlie]

It’s not that great but has gotten more snow and will get more this week. Problem is it’s a sugary facet snowpack all the way to dirt. So yeah not awsome and after this weeks wind may be even more dangerous than before. Seems like ip is the go to . Iam sure you could find stuff up and around it’s so massive but everyone I know isn’t lol

 

[agalen]

has anyone been into cabin creek recently? Just curious what the current snow conditions are like back there. Thanks!

 

[Pinchecharlie]

Still not great but if you are a really good rider there are stashes way up high way back theothe woods . It’s dirt at the trailhead.

 

[rocket]

Any recent updates? Haven't been out in many years, but looking at a trip due to lack of snow in the midwest. Don't expect pristine conditions, just trying to find out if there is snow to ride on. How about the trail running up from West Yellowstone? Have seen reports that the snowpack is generally unstable, so no intention of doing anything extreme.

 

[Pinchecharlie]

Watch the forecast and see. Snowing now but heavy and wet. Forecast is good but we’ll see. It’s a mix of mush and dirt in the valley floor but not terrible (kinda terrible) up high. If this forecast hold it may reset up high but will get a crazy amount of attention in a few short days. Today it’s junk . Next weekend could be ok.

 

[rocket]

Just got back this AM. West Yellowstone had about a foot of fresh in town during this week, more up top. Seemed to be more snowfall further south toward Two Top and Lions Head, less north toward Cabin Creek. Was snowing when I left yesterday AM, so still getting better.

 

[Pinchecharlie]

It’s good right now

 

[Pinchecharlie]

Was wind scoured and tracked up this week. Waiting for a reset (again) trails are bad whooped and dirt and rocks showing through at the bottom. Can still find some fun but less than stellar. Forecast looks ok for next week. Fingers crossed for a couple more good storms .

 

[christopher]

Was wind scoured and tracked up this week. Waiting for a reset (again) trails are bad whooped and dirt and rocks showing through at the bottom. Can still find some fun but less than stellar. Forecast looks ok for next week. Fingers crossed for a couple more good storms .

another couple days and it will start to get much better once again!