HI Snowmobile Friends,
Heading into the week of March 5th it’s looking like spring snowmobiling conditions may have arrived. With our new club website it’s easy to check out the TTF Club webcam then scroll down to NOAA weather which is a web link to the National Weather Service. This weeks predictions call for lows to be in the low to mid 20’s with highs gradually warming to 40 degrees by Sunday. With the overnight temps remaining well below freezing it should keep the snow pack in good shape. There also appears to be light amounts of snow fall Wednesday night through Saturday and this should help to refresh the snow surface. This is the time of year when boondocking is at its best. Wait until the sun comes out to soften the upper snow surface and take to the trees. Tollgate is a paradise for off trail riding with moderate to challenging terrain. Many of the areas that would be difficult to ride earlier in the season because of the deep soft powder are great now. We have snow depths over 8 feet in the upper elevations and the shaded tree areas tend to prevent the snow from melting and becoming icy. This may be where the phrase “go anywhere” snow applies. Our fellow friend and TTF Board Member Glenn Warren took a snapshot of the snow gauge on the Bluewood side of the mountain.
That is a beautiful site!!! Winter isn’t over yet. At Saturday’s club meeting Jess Thompson reported the grooming department had groomed close to 800 miles of trails for the month of February and most of that would have been after the weekend of Feb.14th. Thanks guys!!!
March 1st Wallow Avalanche Centers Advisory.
BOTTOM LINE:
Heavy snow, possibly over 2 feet and moderate to strong winds out of the south over the next 24 hours is forecast for the mountains of northeast Oregon. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely, careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding and conservative decision making essential. Wind slabs forming on north, northwest, northeast, and east aspects at and above tree line on ridge tops. Areas receiving over a foot of new snow may experience storm slabs on terrain over 30 degrees, especially within the first 24 hours of the storm.
Even though the Tollgate area didn’t receive this snow fall, if you travel around the Elkhorns and Halfway areas you might want to consider the advisory.
Have a great week everyone! Be safe and have fun!!
Tollgate Trail Finders