Back to publications

Riding the Rockies Rules
SnoWest Western Guide to Snowmobiling, Winter 2001-2002
Reprinted with permission

It's interesting what a bad year or two of snow can do. It casts a pall over the entire snowmobile community but yet lets us appreciate the good years more. The last couple years haven't exactly been stellar snowfall years, but we've still been able to get out and ride, And mostly, it seems, we've ridden in areas that make up the Top 15 Trails in the West.

As snowmobiling seemed to be embarking into the 21st century on uncertain terms and shallow snow, sledders went back to the proven havens of snowmobiling - the Rocky Mountains,

One thing we noticed as we pored over the hundreds of surveys we received was the vast majority of the Top 15 Trails lie within a hundred miles of the Continental Divide, the heart of the Rockies. Most are even closer.

... The towering mountains that divide East from West provide a significant barrier to moisture moving eastward. When the clouds come to the Continental Divide, they figure it's going to be hard enough getting over it without carrying thousands of pounds of snow, so they decide to dump it right there and get over into the Great Plains where life is easy.

The Leftovers

What's left over is light, fluffy, cold, white and perfect for snowmobiling. And it happens consistently, every year. We had a bad snow year out West last season, no doubt about it. We only got about 12 feet in Island Park, where we ride the most. But you know what? Twelve feet of snow still makes for better riding than anything you'll get 200 miles east of the Divide. We have it pretty good even when we have it pretty had.

And so this year, perhaps more than ever, the top 15 is shaped by the Continental Divide and snowfall. We noticed that in areas like Snow Quality, the Continental Divide areas cleaned up. Off-Trail Riding, as closely related to the amount of snow as anything, also suffered the more removed from the Divide one got. When we look even deeper, we noticed the two areas that suffered the most this season were the ones furthest removed from the dividing line. . . When it comes to making the Top 15 on a bad snow year, the old real estate adage rings true: location, location, location. . .

Big Horns
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

For many snowmobilers who head West for winter vacations, the drive past the Beg Horns is a mere appetizer for what lies ahead, They see the steep, snow-covered mountains stretching from the Montana/Wyoming border for some 100 miles to the south. It gets them excited ... but they drive on by, not realizing that some of the West's best riding is at their doorsteps.

The Big Horns maintain their No. 8 position on the SnoWest Top 15 list for a second straight year. And even though ninny snowmobilers from the Midwest drive right past the Big Horns for winter vacations, perhaps one of the major drawing cards to the Big Horns is its lack of people.

You see, there are countless riding opportunities, yet virtually no crowds.

There are probably two major reasons for this: first, people opt to drive to the more popularized areas like West Yellowstone, Cooke City or the Continental Divide Trail System in Wyoming: the second reason is the scarceness in accommodations. There are not a lot of places to stay up in the Big Horn along the trail system. Even though the Wyoming towns of Buffalo and Sheridan are located on the eastern side of the Big Horns and feature a full slate of accommodations and services, too many people feel that if they can't find accommodations along the trail, they ought just as well drive another six hours to somewhere where they can. Thus, they drive past some superb riding areas.

During the winter it's easy to find fresh untracked powder and steep rolling hills to explore, with a diverse trail system that provides easy access.

The Big Horns actually incorporate two trail systems—the north half out of Burgess Junction, and the southern half out of Buffalo/Ten Sleep area. Combined, the two systems feature more than 300 miles of groomed trails and nearly 50 miles of ungroomed trails ... hut don't forget the countless miles of cross country exploring. The Paint Rock trail connects both riding areas. but features some challenging riding that only hardy snowmobilers will enjoy.

There are many outstanding views found within the Big Horns. A 37-mile ungroomed trail flanks the western edge of the Cloud Peak Wilderness, providing spectacular scenery and unsurpassed riding. Cloud Peak, which stands 13,167 feet above sea level, is the centerpiece of the Big Horn range.

HIGHMARK:	Scenery (1.61)
Elevation:	8,000-9,600
Prime Season:	Dec-May
Snowfall:	115-250 inches
Miles of Groomed Trails:	303 miles
Location:	Northcentral Wyoming
Full Service Town:	Sheridan
Nearest Airport:	Sheridan. WY (47 miles)
Don't Miss:	Bucking Mule Falls, Baby Wagon area

Back to Top of Page