We have a trip booked for December 16th & 17th. For those of you in the know on snow conditions in the hills, is there normally enough snow to ride at that time?

I know all things are depending upon the weather, but what have you seen in the last few years?

Or am I going gambling?

Thanks
Mike

http://www.sdgfp.info/parks/recreation/sno...ng/trailcon.htm

Try this link, they start updating it on December 1.

Thanks YamahaArctic, but I have that site, Terry Peak, Spearfish canyon Resort, and the Deadwood cameras all on bookmarks. I even have a person in Belle Fouche watching the snow conditions for me.

I guess I was looking to see if anyone on here was actually from the area that could give some first hand experience on if they have been rideing right away when the trails open on December 15th.

We have planned, canceled, planned, cancelled, and planned this trip for going on two years. Never seems to be enough snow when we can go and this is our last shot at it. Our cabin rental time is up, no more extensions. Just don't want to get my hopes up to much if they have not had good snow at that point.

Conditions aren't looking good yet for the Hills, but when and if they do it isn't bad riding. Just mainly keep checking that site, it will tell you. They haven't had good snow for 2 years now, I never even went out there last year, and the year before was okay. When the snow gets deep out there though it is still a good place. :beerchug:

I hear you about the snow conditions. We have had this cabin rented for 2 winters now. I have the cabin owner and the agency looking to see if they can re-rent the cabin, but I don't think they really care that much, they have my money now.

Anybody want to take it off my hands?

I remember at Trailshead Lodge they have a marking of the snofalls on the top of the wall. It seemed that with each year the snowfall got less and less.

Still a great place to sled, they groom every night, and the nightlife is the best. Just need the white stuff.

Time to make my daily sacrafice tot he snow gods.

I was just going to recommend calling Trailshead because as you said the owner keeps track of the snow fall every year and could probably give you an estimate of how much snow they have around that time.

I grew up there snowmobiling and my parents still live there. I might even be up there that weekend to ride if there is snow.

Good luck,
Dean

I have also planned a trip for that area last year a few different times and each time they got cancelled and rescheduled and I never did make it out there. I think your best luck would be for sometime in Jan or Feb, that seems to be the best time to guarantee snow and even then its not for sure.

It looks like you should probaly plan a trip to eastern South Dakota this year. It looks like this side of the state is getting all the snow this year.

I talked to my dad yesterday and he said they are getting some decent snow and they plan on grooming the trails starting on Dec. 15th. :banana: :banana:

I called the SD game & fish, they gave me the number to the SD G&F people in Lead. This way I can get un-biased opinion of the snow. They were out marking the trails yesterday so I will call back next week and get a full report.

He said it was looking good in the northern part. :fluffy: :div20:

I WAS JUST UP IN THE ONEILL PASS AREA AND THE SNOW TO THE NORTH WAS LOOKING GREAT PUSHED IT UP ONTO THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK A COUPLE OF TIMES I'D SAY 16 INCHES UP THERE. BUT THAT WILL SETTLE SOME. IF WE GET ANOTHER FOOT IT WILL BE PREMO RIGHT NOW IT'S RIDABLE.

The GF & P site is not too bad for condtions just make sure to watch the date that is was last updated and its not bad compared to daily reports you could get elsewhere.

There is a winter storm warning out there right now. Supposed to get 6 - 12 inches of the white stuff. With that, there should be more than enough. Just praying to the snow gods that it does not get to warm the rest of the week.

Altho a little settling would be good by the way it sounds. :fluffy: :banana:

Went up to "Four Corners" today west of Deerfield, 10 December. About 30 miles from my front door. There was some rideable snow, maybe a foot at the most in some spots. Alot of rocks exposed yet. Basically wanted to get the sleds out and test them before we get too far from home. Wind blew like a son of a beoch. Oh yeah, didn't see any elk or hunters so don't even go there.

Lead/Deadwood had schools closed for the 2nd day in a row. Sounds like upwards of 2 feet of snow in the Trailshead area. Bout time we get a start like this to snowmobile season.

http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Recreation/Sno...ailconHills.asp

I am new to the area and was wondering where would be the closet place to park and have access to the trails, I have a 2 place trailer. I live in Black Hawk. Thanks for any info. :beerchug:

Your closest place to unload would probably be Custer Crossing. It is off of HWY 385. If you go to Rapid City take Highway 44 West past the fish hatchery and follow till you hit 385. Custer Crossing will be north on 385 not sure quite how far but it is in the Roubaix Lake area. That depends on snow conditions. If you live in Black Hawk you should get to know Ray down at the Sport Shack. He has trail maps and since you ride a Polaris you probably will be in there quite a bit. Ha Ha

Yeah, I met him when I first moved here in Sept. Hell of a guy. Thanks for the info. Probably won't be there as much as you think though. HA HA

Okay, here is the latest from my neighbor who went to the Lead/Deadwood area today, trails were awsome and the snow was deep. The only thing that he was surprised about was the lack of sleds!!! Snow was so deep that if the groomers hadn't went through you wouldn't be able to get through with something less that a long track. I will let everyone now how it is as I am going with him tomorrow to check it out!!!! Later!

I will be unloading at Trailshead and riding on December the 24th with my dad who lives up there. Are any of you planning on being up there riding on that day?

Dean

been thru that area a few times in the summer, sure would like to make a run out there in winter. Is it possible to ride there from western minnesota?

depends on it you want a sled left or not, the snow is very hard here in the middle of the state, and the further west you go the less there is I believe, until you get to the hills. Sounds like they are having a tough time grooming in the hills, keep getting the snow cats stuck trying to get the trails groomed.

:banana: Well, all I can say about the Lead/deadwood Black hills area is HOLY S**T is it nice. They have sooo much snow right now!!!!! I was on my 96 XLT SP and my buddy was on his 02 ZR 600 and both got stuck when we wondered off the trail. At one place he tried to get to the top of a hill and got stuck going up, when I hoped off m sled that was still parked on the trail I took 3 steps and was up to my waist in snow!!!!! Put on 115 miles today!!!! Did find out that I need to rejet the triple though!!! Ran awsome just a little boggy off the line and used alot of fuel. If you can get there ride them soon, weather supposed to warm up to the 40's later this week!!!

Just got back from our trip. The trails were GREAT. On several occassions we were the 2nd set of sleds down a trail. Some had not even been groomed, powder everywhere. If you go off-trail, as always, you have to watch out for stumps and rocks. Oh the virgin meadows, what fun.

We hit most of the east side and west side of the system. Did not make it anywhere south of Trailshead. So from what I hear, we missed the deeper stuff. We rode Friday and Saturday and I dont think we saw a dozen sleds. Trailshead parking lot only had 2 vehicles in it.

I would highly recommend a Christmas or New Years trip there if you have time. Round trip for me was about 1200 miles, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I will try to get some of the pictues I took up tomorrow night. start packing.

Typical trail and some elk

Will be leaving for Deadwood in about 3 hours. If anybody sees a 03 f7 teamgreen firecat, a 2001 ZR 600 and a 98 ZR 600 stop and say hi!

Crazyrider, I lost some money in Deadwood. It was a couple twenties folded in half. If you see them I would appreciate it if you would pick them up for me.

have a great time. I am half thinking about going back out over New Years.

Can someone keep us informed on the snow conditions up there. I was hoping all this warm weather that is coming in won't affect the snow that much up there. I too would love to go back around new years. Thanks for any and all info. :beerchug:

We unloaded at Trailshead on the 24th and put on 102 miles. I kept watching for you guys but never saw you. I hope that you had a good time though. The conditions were pretty good. :beerchug:

Dean

Me and the wife unloaded at trailshead also, one of the best christmas eves I have ever had. We rode up to cement ridge and back. I just hope the snow lasts through this warm spell we are having so we all can enjoy it some more. Yall have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! :beerchug:

How is the snow holding up with the weather I have a friend planning on this week wed - friday and I told to him to call before he left because of the warm weather.

I am threatening to go with but have to work, maybe.

I would like to know too.................how is the snow in the BH's?

Here is where I usually go to check. I live in Black Hawk and the weather is usually much different in the Hills. I would say you could go this weekend, I probably will.

http://www.sdgfp.info/parks/recreation/sno...ailconHills.asp

Enjoy.

Well, from the trail reports, most of the Hills got 8-10 inches last night and more is expected. Should be a good weekend to go. I will try out get up there a couple of times if possible.

A buddy and I are leaving for the hills on the 5th and riding throught the 9th. We stay in Spearfish and unload at Big Hill or gravel Pit. Let you know how the snow is later. Sounds like good riding on the state page. i have been riding there for 20-some years and rarely have a "bad" day. :banana:

You better pray for more snow because it was warm this weekend when I was there and it was fading and the forecast is not in your favor but maybe if you go early in the morning before it gets warm you might be ok, but then again I think they got more snow on sunday when we left, it finally changed from rain to snow.

Samatt,

I see you posted a few pictures from the Black Hills I was
Wondering if you had any more real good shots from the Trails out there that you could E mail me???
I am new to Snowmobiling and thinking hard about heading out there on the 12th if they get more snow.....

bentj@centurytel.net

:beerchug:

boatingbent

you have an e-mail to your centurytel account.

mike

Thanks!!!!!

Yeah, I hope the weather doesn't stay warm too long. I may be going out there this weekend with my neighbor. Went Monday the 2nd and the trails had not been groomed and were geetting slushy. I pray they get more this week. Keep the rubber side down. :beerchug:

Any current trail reports? Maybe loooking to go next weekend.

I've looked at Black Hills sites as per to locations......places to stay.....etc.....but any first hand knowledge on the towns you might stay in and trail heads to leave from?

ski resort close?

This is some of the information I sent to boatingbent...

We have been to Spearfish Canyon Resort for lunch several times. Never have stayed there, but it looks nice. Food is good at the restaurant. Other times we have stayed at Recreational Springs Resort, and the last time we rented a house up on Terry Peak. Next time we go we are going to look for a place closer to TrailsHead, it is more centrally located in the trail system. Nothing against Recreational Springs or Spearfish Canyon Resort, just that for the most part you have one maybe two trails out of each location to go for more trails. If you don’t mind hitting the same trail more than once, it’s not a big deal. The drawback to Trailshead will be higher traffic area, because it is a central point on the system. If you have a map of the trails you will see what I mean.



Of course this all depends on what you are going there for. If it’s the guys wanting to play in the powder and hit the trails and accommodations are not that crucial, or if it’s quality time with the family.


These are some of the web sites I use:


http://www.terrypeak.com/

Ski resort at the top of the mountain. they give you an idea of the amount of snow coming down and a link to local weather forecast.


http://www.recsprings.com

Resort, right on the trail. Restaurant, bar, rental, service. Talk to Joe or Papa Joe



http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Recreation/Sno...ng/trailcon.htm

South Dakotas web site on trail conditions



http://www.trailsheadlodge.com/

Resort, gas, rentals, bar, service



http://www.blackhillsweather.com/

Another weather site



We have also stayed in Deadwood and rode out from there. Nice thing about that is if you have no riders they can take the trolley into town for the sites.

I will be in the hills on the 5th riding a red F5 2003 and buddy has a black 2005 M7, stop and say hi.
My sled has one red and one green ski handle (dont ask)
Shawn

I will be up there on the 7th riding with my dad. I have a green 01 ZR800 (decal says 600) with the black bellypan. My dad has a 1999 Polaris SKS 700 mostly blue in color. Both have pipes and sound good. :beerchug: Stop us and say hi if you see us.

Power line were great fun and watch out for the knee deep powder off trails the trees grab ya, no damage done just a pain getting out.Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment

Here is one more we make the first trail in alto of places due to snow blown over the area.Click to view attachment

Sparks

Where at in the Hills where those pictures Taken????

I am thinking of heading out there on the 12th and stay at Spearfish Canyon Resort........Little worried about the snow conditions.....Weather says its been warm and rain


By the looks of your pictures it looks like there is plenty of snow????Hows the Trails ands such???Tell us more.....Post more pictures....
Also where did you stay when you went

We parked at Trails Head lodge so pictures are southeast of there. If they had rain we could not tell, the warm weather did not affect the snow at all. It seemed the wind during the night blew good snow back on the trails
The trail report site sail icy conditions but did not see any. The trails close to the lodge were ROUGH with whupties(sp), but if you got on some of the two track they were great. 95% kicked azz.
Lets just say my F5 snopro had to work and in some places were we were climbing off trail she couldn't handle the over knee deep powder.Click to view attachment What to break new trails?