I am heading out there on the 3rd of Jan and am wondering if anyone is going to be out there during that time... Just like to meet up with anyguys and shoot the shit and have a few drinks... Anyone know how much snow they usually have around Jan.... Does anyone have the # for Trailshead they usually have a reference on the wall that shows how much snow is there... :celebrating: :fluffy: :fluffy:

I cant get you the number to Trailshead but here is the number to Rec Springs Resort, just down the road from Trailshead. Recreational Springs Resort 11201 Hwy 14A Lead, SD 57754 1-877-584-1228 /
1-605-584-1228. Ask For Papa Joe, he has treated us guys in the military really good. Spent a lot of time riding up there last year, unfortunatly Uncle Sam has me sitting in the middle of the desert right now. A couple of us would like to be home riding when you get there but we will probably not make it back home till the middle of Jan. They are getting snow right now so your chances should be good for the first week of Jan, last year we had a couple of feet by the time the trails opened on the 15th of Dec. Good luck and save us a little powder to play in when we get home!!

You can only go if you take me!!!

I got the 2006-2007 trail map last week in the mail.

We went last year December 16th time frame. They had just gotten a few storms just before we got there. conditions were great, could have ues a few more inches for off trail riding, but then it was December. We were going to head out there for the week between x-mas & new Years this year, but plans have changed. Also rooms were really expensive. May try to make a few long weekends out there.

Joe and Papa Joe are great people. Willing to shoot the fat and very kind on their prices. They did an overnight carb clean on my brother in laws sled for $100.

Heres a link to Trailshead www.trailsheadlodge.com

Mike

Thanks for all the info guys... Yeah both of the times i went out there was a blast... We are looking at 10 guys so far going right now we have a few rooms in the Super Duper 8 in Deadwood... Last time we stayed out there in Sturgis and the time before that at White Tail Court.... I love the riding out there it is a good combination of both trail and off trail and the night life is a blast.... Hope to see some guys out there.... Yeah i got a few guys that just got back from the desert and i am hoping they can go sledding around here this year... snow is always better than sand hahahahah... :fluffy: :fluffy: :linemup:

Rec Springs is about 60 miles from the house so makes it easy to head up for the day and still sleep in your own bed each night, though some of the best times included a night in Deadwood after along day on the trails. If and when you head for the hills shoot me a line and if I have gotten out of this hell hole and back to the real world will have to meet up for a beer at Rec Springs or Trailshead. :beerchug:

I talked to papa Joe yesterday. He said it was snowing and some guys are riding now. I hope they get a ton of snow this winter!

Sounds amazing... I hope that they have a ton of snow... Bad Ram i hope to see ya there if i do find ya i will buy yah a beer and let the B.S. session start... hhaha should be a blast i am looking forward to it i can't wait that is for sure... Hopefully some more people will post on here and i can put some faces to names... That always helps and to see a friendly face on the trails and on the road... Trailshead is usually where we head for food and everything seems perty convenient and i like the place... never made it to rec springs last year the ole ski doos seemed to have problems when we were out there.... just happens and we didn't get a ton of miles in but it was a good time regardless... Heading out with about 10 cats this year so look for the slew of green pulling in I will have the 03 F7 Sno Pro... she is a smidge loud... hahahah hope to see you guys out there and to keep me posted on any new news... Thannks :div20: :div20: :div20: :fluffy: :fluffy: :celebrating:

Have a trip scheduled for just after Christmas (Dec. 27-31) so I can give you a pretty good idea of how the snow conditions are out there. We also stay at Rec. Springs and usually ride from there, some years you have to trailer up to trailshead for better snow conditions but last year the snow was great just about everywhere. Ended up going back again in Jan & Feb.

In my opinion the Black Hills is the best all-around riding experience there is. They always mark and groom their trails better than anywhere else I've been. The nightlife is tough to beat (almost like a mini-vegas) and the people there are always very friendly (papa joe is just one example).

You have a ton of options as far as where to go, I mean heck you can literally ride 200 miles in a day if you wanted to and not use the same trail twice. The off trail isn't what the Big Horns or other higher elevations are but there is definatley some fun spots just not as extreme (which is a good thing sometimes for us flatlander ditchbanger types who aren't used to the deep stuff). :beerchug:

Is anyone familiar with the Clear Lake area. I am going to be there for work the week of Dec 11. How far away is good riding.

Rode the trail system there once last year, wasn't very impressed....90% ditch riding and you had to constantly come up on the edge of the road for bridges.

Yeah the riding was really good last year. Last year was really the first time I have ridden much since getting back to SD, snow hadnt been that good the last couple of years so had not bought a sled till this last season. Big Bear I know what you mean about riding with rookies, took a bunch of the guys that work for me at the base out riding. Most of these guys never seen snow before so spent more time digging them out and getting them back on the trail than riding but will have to say it was fun. Got a couple of them hooked, they went and bought sleds also so now have guys to go with all the time. If everything goes right will be there the middle of January so will have a couple months of riding.

Yeah diggin them out will be the most interesting part of the trip i am sure.... We have a few of them going along that have only last year on a sled or else this will be their first trip... It should be a blast though... I hear ya with the off trail riding i seem to find myself getting stuck widing up through the trees enuff out there in the big horns i would probably sink out of site... Yeah hopefully hear some good reports on the snow out there so that we have a good trip... If it turns out good probably go out there 3 or 4 more times depending on the $$$.... Hope to see some guys out there... C-u :beerchug: :fluffy: :fluffy: :linemup:

Bear how long have you been in Fargo, I went to school in West Fargo when I was a kid. Havent been back there in better than 20 years so probably wouldnt be able to find my way around anmore.

We would like to go out this year but want to stay in our Toy Hauler....My Question is...Does Rec Springs have Camping??????

Yes, they have camping at Rec Springs here is their numbers 1-877-584-1228 / 1-605-584-1228. Talk to Papa Joe, am sure he will hook you up.

Yeah at Rec Springs i have seen campers and stuff parked there for the winter... I wish i had a toy hauler shit that would be awesome.... or i should say i wish the bank had a toy hauler that i could use... hahahah Yeah i have been in Fargo here for about 2 years i was up here for college at NDSU went back home to Aberdeen to work construction in my company with my brother then came back up here to go through the Amulance Program... Hopefully in a year or two i can move west and get a lil closer to the action but for being flat the trails around here aren't that bad... pourly marked in a few places but not bad at all... :fluffy: :fluffy: :linemup:

Aberdeen, mom's family is from there. Uncle and his family live in Oaks ND. Have been running around that area since I was a kid, I have some younger cousins around your age but not sure where they are all at now. I know one was going to college in Fargo but not sure if he is still there. We grew up riding all that flat land, back when you made your own trails or rode the river up to Grand Forks. Had no idea how much we were missing till I started riding out here in the Hills.

You spelled oaks wrong. Its Oakes, ND. Just giving you crap. Thats where im orginally from.

Then you probably know my uncle and aunt, Harvey & Carrol Wolfe. They were both school teachers there...

Yep i lived a half block away. And had them both as teachers. I also graduated with there son Brian. Small world.

It is a crazy small world that is for dang sure... Has anyone heard any updates out in the hills for any snow or anything.... Just kind of checking around seeing if they still have it or if they are bone dry like we are over east.... I would like to see some snow here around Thanksgiving time but that doesn't seem to be in the forecast.... Nothing but hot weather.... Still looking forward to doing some cruising out west.... Hopefully buying a trailer in 2 weeks...

What does everyone have for a trailer just checking??? I am looking at a Featherlite.... anyone ever hear anything bad about them i know their stock trailers are amazing.... Thanks guys :fluffy: :div20: :celebrating:

It is funny to think I came half way around the world to the middle of the desert and in my off time find this web site were I run into guys that in a sense are from "home". I talked to my folks the other night and they said the weather in Rapic City is suppose to be really warm thru this coming weekend but then should cool back down. With any luck there should be snow for riding when the trails are suppose to open on the 15th of December. I know if I come home and there isnt any snow to ride this year I am going to feel like a little kid that got screwed out of Christmas! It would be pretty cool to run into you guys up there sometime this winter and share a couple of beers and swap stories. As for the Featherlite trls, I dont think you could go wrong with one. I have pulled alot of trls, horse/stock and every kind of flat bed and enclosed over the years and would always say for the price they have to be one of the best. I am sure there are others who have their opinions, but if I had the money for one right now there would be no question as to what brand I would buy...

Thanks Bad Ram... Yeah i know there stock trailers are great all the farmers like them that i have worked for and everything... They enjoy the build and everything about the trailer.... It is a good deal by any means that is for sure... yeah it is hot up here in fargo it is about 60 right now... no sign of snow at all... i can't beleive this warm weather... I sure do hope that they have the snow out there because the way it is now we won't be having any here for a while... Last year i got snowed in down in Aberdeen and couldn't make it back to fargo and this year i could ride the motorcycle around... crazy.... It would be a blast to run into you out in the hills it would be something to look forward to anyways... put a face to the name at least... The more people sledding the better it is... :fluffy: :fluffy: :div20: :linemup:

Anybody Hear anything out in the hills as of late???? See if they got hit with this cold rainy/snow mix that we have been hit with... It is a nice balmy 11 out today with a 20 mph wind out of the west.... Winter is here but without any snow.... :fluffy: :fluffy: :div20:

I am in South Eastern Minnesota...We had about 60 degress and rained like crazy yesterday...Today was about 24 Degress out and still no snow...I am wondering about the hills myself would like to go out there as soon as possible

www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Recreation/Snowmobiling/trailcon.htm

They havent started updating this yet but will daily starting the 15th of Dec. For good weather info otherwise for the area hit www.terrypeak.com and they update the weather on their site a couple times a day. They also post new snow fall each day. There is a link on there for the local weather for Lead SD that we watch pretty close to know what to expect when we head that way each weekend. Talked to my folks there in Rapid City couple of days ago and it was warm but today it was down right cold there so hopefully the snow will be coming quick...

I hope that they get some snow out there perty soon... The scenery around the web cam looks perty dry... Hopefully they get dumped on with this system that is moving through... It is a perty shitty year when Dallas Texas has more snow than we do.... What is going on with that... I guess we need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.... :celebrating: :burp:

Yeah it looked like we were really going to get some good snow this winter by the way Oct looked but from what my parents had said last week things dont look to good right now. I really hope that there is something to ride on in Feb as it looks like we wont be back till then. We were really shooting for Jan but that got shut down. Guess we can only hope to get the same spring snow we got last year if things dont change soon... Bear are you guys getting anything in Fargo from this storm?

Looks like the Hills might get hit with some snow tomorrow according to the weather Channel..........

I sure hope that the weather channel is right... We got some snow here on the ground all weekend it has seemed to be flurring but nothing really to much to do anything with... We have it in the lawn and on the roads and everything but just not enuff... If we would get about 4 more inches and a good wind to blow in the ditches we would be set... It wouldn't be to bad... I hear up by the Turtle Mts. in NoDak that they got decent snow and everthing.... Have to test out the new trailer and take the iron up north for a break in period.... Thanks for the website guys and keep me posted on the happenings in the hills... :div20: :div20:

Looks like it is snowing out in the hills.... that is a good sign.. Up here in Fargo we have a lil bit of snow but nothing much just to make the ground white and to make people drive like fricken morons... But that will happen with snow... Anyone hear of anything out there so far.... It is getting close only like 4 weeks left and we are hoping for the best that :celebrating: :div20: is for sure... Just checking to see if anyone knows anything... Thanks

I called Trailshead and Rec Springs on Wednesday night. Only 3" of snow out of that storm as of 10 PM.

3 inches is all... damn that is nothing... hopefully they get dumped on here in the next few weeks otherwise it looks like we will have to head further west.... i sure hope that they start to get something out there soon... does anyone know if they have a base even started out there or is what they are getting now the start of the base... i know it was warm today here in fargo and most of ours got melted away.... it sucks if we would have had a few inches more it would have been at least enuff to cover the ditches... thanks guys... :div20: :burp:

There is NO base in the Black Hills as of now that I know of. We need some MAJOR snow in the next 2 weeks if we're going to ride out there over Christmas as planned.

All our snow in Fargo has perty much melted or turned to hard hard pack... We have about nothing left at all here... Did that 3 inches out in the hills stay or did that melt away... anyone hear anything about that... If not the black hills are there any good places to ride out in Wyoming that aren't terribly far away... Willing to travel a while but want some decent trails that we can ride on we only have firecats and zr's so we don't have nothing huge to be boondocking with (hopefully next year M series). Anyone knows of any good places i am open for suggestions... Thanks :div20:

I'm sure all the snow in the Black Hills is gone today. It was 60 degrees here but maybe it was colder out there I don't know. Other options are the Bighorns or Snowy Range(west of Laramie). Not sure how far a drive it is for you.

Maybe Burgess Junction WY

This is a nice Resort ...I haven`t Snomobiled up there but we did stay there in Aug and went Harley riding out there

http://www.bearlodgeresort.com/

Do you think any of these places would have a place to stay left for around January or not??? This is perty shitty that the hills can't get snow... I figured that they would have at least a little bit by now..Boatingbent did you stay in the single room when you were out there or did you get one of those apartment things... I would like to go out there but i don't know if i can find a place that has vacancy left for the time we have off... Out west are there a lot of places that have gas along the trail or do you need to carry along those extra cans quite often... Thanks :div20:

We had our Bikes in the Back of my Toyhauler so we stayed in it.So I can`t give you much info on the rooms (sorry)...This resort also has a small caqmpground next to it...I guess I would give them a call....There is a real nice Bar there and also a restaurant.....The Resort is at 8300 feet

Hey guys, I'm new to the site!

The Hills don't have much snow yet and it isn't looking good for Dec. 15th when the trails open. Hopefully we get some snow and can ride by Christmas. Must be that damn El Nino! Here are some links to a few sites for those who are interested:

Trail Conditions

Black Hills Snotel

RecSprings Resort

Trailshead Lodge

I've ridden out of Bearlodge in the Northern Horns. Great Place. Rooms aren't bad, food is great, nice bar, indoor pool and hot tub. Much better than what you will find in the Southern Horns. If they are booked up you could try Arrowhead or the other place (now called The Passage Resort I think). They are all within a few miles of each other. I've been to the other two but never stayed there, although they both seem nice enough. You can ride in the Horns, but I don't think it is real great right now unless they get some more snow.

The Passage Resort

Big Horn Lodges List

Yeah the horns look like they migh be the ticket this year for the snow riding.... That is perty dissapointing as far as we have a bunch of young guys with us and they won't be able to go out there but only once this year the hills we were thinking possibly going 2 times at least.... I was planning on at least 3 trips out there this year so i might have to limit that to two for the horns possibly.... I guess it will all depend on the snow... Forecast shows on the 17th suppose to have snow but we all know how well they end up!!! Anyone even been out so far this year... Knock the dust off of the track at least or not even turn the thing.... I know mine is sitting on the stands in the garage waiting to go... Hope to see you guys on the trails when they do open :div20: :celebrating:

It's still early in the year, seems like a lot of times anymore on Dec. 15th when the trails open, the riding is either non-existent or not very good. I'm still hopeful that we can have a decent winter.

I did all of the storage stuff to my sleds last spring before I put them away, so they are pretty much ready to go. I just basically need to dust em' off a bit and check the air on the trailer tires. One of them needs stickers for this season I think (they are good for two years here). I'm starting to get the itch, pretty soon I'll have to go fire them up and at least inhale some exhaust fumes! :div20:

Haha.... Snow Blind you are just like me in that you need to get the exhaust going and you are ready to ride... A guy tends to miss that over the summer... Yeah i am still hopeful for the hills i think that it will come around anyways i hope it will... We are getting snow here in Fargo and it seems to be a nice system that will move in across the jetstream here bringing in some moisture from out west... Hope for the best anyways the hills is just reasonably close good lodging and the night life is second to none.... If anyone is going to be out around that time i will buy the first round of Johnny Walker haha (Red or Black)!!! Hope to catch ya on the trails... :linemup:

Heading out to BlackHills on the 28th of Jan, Whats should i bring seeing i have never been out west before?? and what to expect.?.?

Be prepared for the time of your life. Bring clothes for warm weather (20's - 30's), but be prepared for the cold. Last time we were there it was 25 on Thursday and 20 below when we left on Sunday. Make sure your sled is jetted and the weights are correct for the alt & temp. Figure on 5000 - 6000 feet. Bring the camera and lots of film or memory stick, the scenery is the best. Make sure you get to the top of Cement Ridge on a sunny day, and make it down Spearfish Canyon and have lunch at the resort.

You have to make into Deadwood for the night life, it's a blast.

Make sure you get off the trail and get stuck at least once.

There is soo much more, I am sure others will add to the list.

Dec and Jan can not go by fast enough. I was looking at a helmet cam today.... LMAO i will have plenty of film and memory sticks...... there are 14 of us in our party heading that way....

Agreed on Cement Ridge (it's a fire lookout with amazing views) and Little Spearfish Canyon (it's the north end of trail 4/4A. Checkout Roughlock falls, although I don't think you can walk clear down to the base of the falls like you used to be able to. Like was said also, check out the Latchstring for lunch or Spearfish Canyon Lodge to have a drink and warm up by their awesome fireplace. Both of em are at the head of trail 4. Spearfish Canyon Lodge

Trailshead lodge is kind of the center of it all, you can head any direction from there. No worries about getting lost on the trails. It is the best marked trail system that I have ever seen. Every major intersection has a trail map with a "you are here" arrow. It really is an outstanding trail system. Off trail riding is basically unlimited, you can go pretty much where you want with a few exceptions for private property. We don't have the hill climbing of the Rockies but there is some very good off trail riding to be had.

What else...

Hit trail #2 south of Black Fox campground, it's awesome down in there. Flag Mountain lookout is pretty cool.
Deerfield lake south on trail 2 is the only real lake to speak of if you want drag race your buddies. Trail 4 has some good play areas along it. Riflepit canyon from trail 1 over to trail 3 is another good one to play around in.

You'll have an awesome trip, now just pray for snow!

Just to ad to Snow`s post Trailshead lodge has some of the best Chili around..

My son and I went to the Hills for the 1st time Jan 12th 06 and I have to Agree its great riding and lots of hreat well marked trails and Scenery

Hate to do this with the lack of snow there, but this was a year ago today. Just down the trail from Recreational Springs.

Its brutal on how much snow they had last yr at this time to see nothing at this time..... whats up with this weather now days the south is hitting record lows and we are still in the 40's and so on..........

but those pics are sweet.... cant wait.....