Big Horns Trip

[elf]

Well, we made it back from our trip on Wed. morning. Had a great time!! The new 600 RMK ran great, took out an a arm on a rock the first day though. Luckily the rental place at Bear Lodge had them so I replaced it. Although it will be a perfect sled for the type of riding I do, a 600 with a 144 is a little small out there. My friend Eric's Renegade went down though and he had the honor of riding a Polaris the next 2 days.
We met and rode with a group of 4 older guys(55-60) that have been riding out there together for years. They know the back country and they showed us a great time. And these guys can ride, they physically kicked our butts each day. If you are ever in the big horns, they leave from bear Lodge about 9:30-10:00 every weekend morning and I believe they'll let anybody come with. A couple of them are up front while one always rides clean up, they help you get unstuck, give you tips, they were awesome.
The snow they led us to was usually excellent, I found chest deep snow on more than one occasion, don't ask how I know.

 

[elf]

More pics

 

[indy_500]

nice pics.

 

[ohiosledder]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing. It's easy to see why that would be a workout for a 600 with a 144.

 

[misty_pines]

Great pics; thanks for posting. Looks like the conditions were great! I'm heading out there in just under three weeks. Hopefully the conditions will hold out.

 

[Firecatguy]

thats awsome..what a great gift...

 

[jthedens]

Nice! I was going to see if you had any updates from up north. Heading up on March 11th.

 

[gutcheck]

I was out there each of the last 2 years. We had to really search for snow, it was pretty windblown. The terrain and area is incredible, lets you know where your skills are. I'm sure you'll agree you could ride over your abilities easily. Does Big Mike make a mean omlette or what.

 

[misty_pines]

I was out there each of the last 2 years. We had to really search for snow, it was pretty windblown. The terrain and area is incredible, lets you know where your skills are. I'm sure you'll agree you could ride over your abilities easily. Does Big Mike make a mean omlette or what.

Lots of varied terrain out there, that is for sure. I agree, Big Mike's omlettes are excellent. He always has some great stories to tell also.

 

[tomk]

elf,

How long did it take you guys to get out there, and where did you come from. do you think it could be a leave thursday night come back sunday night kinda thing?

 

[misty_pines]

elf,

How long did it take you guys to get out there, and where did you come from. do you think it could be a leave thursday night come back sunday night kinda thing?

Elf can chime in also, but from the North side of the Twin Cities area, if you go up through Fargo, then head West across North Dakota into Montana and then go South toward Sheridan, then West on 14 to Burgess Junction, it takes about 13-14 hours. It is a bit over 900 miles.

 

[elf]

It took us about 14 hr from the River Falls, WI area where we all met up. Unfortunately, I had to drive from Duluth first to meet us so add about 3.5 hrs to that. We left out there about 7:00 am on Tuesday morn and I got home to Duluth about 2:45 AM Wed morn. That time included dropping 2 people off, unloading and reloading onto another trailer, etc... Long day though!

We found good snow though all 3 days. If you got up into the trees, there was excellent snow. The best snow was over near High Country so we had to travel aways each day to get to it.

 

[coldbear]

Unbelievable photo shots. I need a week of Western riding. Mabye 2011, and a lot of money.

 

[snowho96]

costs in mountains

Just got back from bear lodge today.It was cheaper for us 3 days riding in the mountains vs 3 days in wisc. Don't put on as many miles and not as many places to stop. It might not cost as much as you think.

 

[elf]

SnoHo is correct. Even with spending $145 for an a arm, I only spent about $750 on the trip. That includes gas in the truck, sled, hotels, and meals.