Snowmobiling in the Black Hills?

[clark_w]

Whats the opinion on snowmobiling in the Black Hills????
When would the best time to plan a trip??
What is there snowmobiling season??
Quality of trails?? ok you get my drift here.....
Any comments on the trails and off trail riding would be appreciated.

Kinda thinking about our second trip this year, thought about heading west instead of to the UP????

Thanks,
CW

 

[Tito]

Some of the best trail and site riding anywhere. Hard to impossable to plan for the best time I'll just say winter. The weather is on par with something like Denver 20 degrees can pop up to 60 the next day a few days later a blizzard can blow in. Lots of open areas to ride but flater than you might think. With the temp swings the untouched snow gets hard fast. If your more into trail a warm up might be not that bad as if they have good snow it will last longer at elavation

 

[ranger_dave]

i love it out there. check south dakota snowmobile conditions to find out how much snow they have, pretty accurate reports. i think they have something like 300 miles of groomed trails, very well marked. you can basically ride any place off trail as long as they gate is opened. gas up when you can as the gas stops can get a little far apart if you spend to much time playing off trail. we usually stay at the whitetail court just outside of lead, no to far from deadwood if you like night life and casinos

 

[laketom2]

I would like to hear more posts here as well as we are planning to go out there yet this year. I also understand us flatlanders with our carbed sleds jeted for the 1000 feet or so elevation will have to drop the main jets about two sizes?
Any feedback on the Trailhead Lodge?

 

[ranger_dave]

i would call out there to a dealer that carries your make of sled and ask them for jetting recomendations, if you plan to do some serious off trail boondocking , you may want to reclutch also. if more trail and some off trail, your clutching should be ok. some places out there really roll up the sidewalks after dark, some plan gas stops accordingly

 

[GTL]

Black Hills

Spearfish Canyon Resort has a webcam if you want to see what is there. They are on the north end of the trail system but with 350 miles of trail you should be able to get anywhere for fuel. Their right, one day can be 60 and the next day 10 and snowy. Deadwood Gulch Hotel is about in the middle of the trail system and offers Trolley rides hourly "downtown" to the night life of Deadwood. You DO NOT have to change carbs or clutches to ride this area, and there are plenty of off trail areas to play in.

 

[clark_w]

Thanks, but now I'm a little scared to book a trip....
We are taking our second trip 1st week of March and sure hate to be disapointed.
Any other recomendations on lodging?? how about Trailshead? or Spearfish Canyon???

CW

 

[bearrassler]

I haven't ridden out there but did drive through the area on Jan 2nd. There was lots of snow and lots of snowmobiles. Trailshead lodge parking lot was full of trailers and there was a lot of sleds parked there and there was also a lot of sleds at Spearfish Canyon Lodge. I have freinds that have ridden out there and they have had fun. Spearfish Canyon is more upscale and probably costs a little more but the scenery is great. There is suppose to be a lot of off trail riding if the snow conditions are good and they usually are but they can get real warm sometimes.

 

[jr37]

We were there about 6 years ago in January. We went a week after they a real warm spell. There was not any powder left for off trail, but the trails were excellent. We rode 5 days, every day got to be about 45 degrees, and the nights froze hard. They groomed everything every night and the trails set up hard and with the little traffic that they had, the trails stayed good all day long. I can't remember where we stayed in Deaedwood, but it was a very good trip.

 

[elf]

I've rode out there several times. Trails are excellent, forest roads are great, power lines are awesome. You can do an awful lot of off trail or just enjoy the beautiful trails. I've stayed in Lead at the Golden Hills which you can ride right out of and also at Spearfish Canyon Lodge, which is really nice but sort of isolated. Early march should be OK but I'd really shoot for mid feb. And if you want your sleds to run good, you should rejet them. Jet for 6-8000 feet and you'll be fine.
Be sure to ride up to cement ridge, flagg mtn, and try to find a local to tell you how to find the ice caves. Pretty cool.

Trailshead is a nice place and at the center of probably the deepest snow but it is also very busy on the weekends.

let me knowif you have any other questions.

 

[GTL]

My favorite spot is either Deadwood Gulch Resort (on the trail in Deadwood and a Casino) or Mystic Hills Campground (out on the trail with cabins). Go you'll love it.