West Riding with Midwest Sleds

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xc500mod

Member
We are planning on taking a trip out west this year. It sounds like we'll be doing togwotee.

A number of us want to trailer our sleds out there to save some money by not renting. How will our 144" 600 RMKs do out there if we make the proper clutching adjustments? I can't imagine that a 155' would make that much of a difference.

Thanks, for the responses.

xc500mod
 
cooksend

cooksend

Active member
Your 144 will do a great job with the correct changes! However a 155 will make a difference if you are looking to ride that type of terrain! My first time west was with a Crossfire and a 2" track and flat out scared myself with what we got into! Sometimes it's kind of fun having to work for it just a little more to get it done! Lot's of terrain to explore in Togwotee! Take your sleds and have a blast!
 
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Hoosier

Well-known member
xc500mod said:
We are planning on taking a trip out west this year. It sounds like we'll be doing togwotee.

A number of us want to trailer our sleds out there to save some money by not renting. How will our 144" 600 RMKs do out there if we make the proper clutching adjustments? I can't imagine that a 155' would make that much of a difference.

Thanks, for the responses.

xc500mod
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They call it a rocky mountain king for a reason, and it isn't in the UP. You will be more than fine and will have a blast. It wasn't that long ago mountain sleds had 136 tracks.
 
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byrn71

Member
You will be fine with a 144. I will warn you that trips out can cause people to buy new mountain sleds. Have fun man it's a blast. Also remember that just because your riding a non mountain sled you can still get into trouble so be prepared. Take avalanche equipment and know how to use along with the essential items needed for riding the backcountry. Let it snow!!!
 
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ctlittle

New member
me and a bunch of my buddies went out last year with crossover sleds, 136,141,144, 146, and a 154. We went in the beginning of march and there was not to many places the 154 could go that we could not. The snow was pretty set up underneath though...
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
144 TO 154, stuck is stuck, LOL! You will be fine with your 144 & proper clutching. Respect the terrain & remember your skillset, you will have a great time.-Mezz
 
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m8man

Moderator
mezz said:
144 TO 154, stuck is stuck, LOL! You will be fine with your 144 & proper clutching. Respect the terrain & remember your skillset, you will have a great time.-Mezz
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bingo to what Mezz said.....162 can get stuck easy if you do stupid stuff.....I think the big thing is momentum is your friend...remember momentum can help you turn out and knowing when to turn out is key......maybe Mezz can enlighten you on our buddy who didn't know the right time to turn out.

remember have a great time....but be safe.....

m8man
 
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xc500mod

Member
Hey guys thanks for all the responses!

What about time of the year? will we be able to get the sugar type powder in the middle of march?

We are between going in february and middle march. We don't really want to go out and ride on crusty hard stuff.

Thanks again
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
If you want Deeeep powder, go in February. The one drawback is you don't see as much sun, visibility can be quickly reduced with the overcast & flurries creating low light conditions, but, that is kind of like the Keweenaw. I have not been out in March, but, I don't believe the conditions would be "set-up" unless the temps got mild for a period of time. One thing I forgot to mention & m8man reminded me of this with his statement about momentum. Remember to always have an "exit plan", cause without an exit plan, all the momentum can lead to disaster.-Mezz
 
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Hoosier

Well-known member
xc500mod said:
Hey guys what is the snow like in mid january? will there be enough powder?
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You can find powder almost any time. I would suggest March for a first time trip since the days are longer. It will be more set up but still plenty of powder for those without true Mtn sleds
 
cooksend

cooksend

Active member
January can be awesome some years. Biggest problem can be that it can be bottomless and tough to get around or just dangerous as the snow has not grown deep enough or set up enough to cover up Rocks and Stumps (have a good relationship with your insurance agent). March is great and can be crazy deep or set up. Our best trips are made when we do enough research to have 5 or 6 good riding options in different area's. We then watch the forecasts right up until the day we leave and head that way. Lodging may not be quite as convenient but the riding is EPIC!
 
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snoluver1

Active member
cooksend said:
January can be awesome some years. Biggest problem can be that it can be bottomless and tough to get around or just dangerous as the snow has not grown deep enough or set up enough to cover up Rocks and Stumps (have a good relationship with your insurance agent). March is great and can be crazy deep or set up. Our best trips are made when we do enough research to have 5 or 6 good riding options in different area's. We then watch the forecasts right up until the day we leave and head that way. Lodging may not be quite as convenient but the riding is EPIC!
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Spot on. Agree 100% with cooksend's post. This is the only way to fly.

Been going west many years, and have consistently had the best riding conditions in early to mid march. You just have to be flexible. The sleds you are taking are a non issue, as long as they are set up properly. The only thing is you may be a little disappointed in the power output of your 600's. You loose 3% of your horsepower for every 1000 feet you climb. Most ridding is in the 8-10k range, so you've lost 30% @ 10k. Your 600 is now something like a 420.:eek:
 
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600_RMK_144

Well-known member
snoluver1 said:
Spot on. Agree 100% with cooksend's post. This is the only way to fly.

Been going west many years, and have consistently had the best riding conditions in early to mid march. You just have to be flexible. The sleds you are taking are a non issue, as long as they are set up properly. The only thing is you may be a little disappointed in the power output of your 600's. You loose 3% of your horsepower for every 1000 feet you climb. Most ridding is in the 8-10k range, so you've lost 30% @ 10k. Your 600 is now something like a 420.:eek:
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I can attest to that. I could literally hear my 600 sucking wind up at elevation. Kind of like the rider was.
 
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ezra

Well-known member
I would no be as worried about the sleds as making sure the guys u are going with know what they are in for. getting that heart and lungs working is a must . have seen a few guys wishing they would have listend and worked out a bit before going out.
 
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snoluver1

Active member
ezra said:
I would no be as worried about the sleds as making sure the guys u are going with know what they are in for. getting that heart and lungs working is a must . have seen a few guys wishing they would have listend and worked out a bit before going out.
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This is a great point also. Seen many a guy's vacation ruined by bringing the wrong crew members! Some people think its all gum drops and lollipops. They had no idea they would have to "work" on their vacation, and they want nothing to do with it. Next thing you know, they are crying to go home. If your unsure about anybody in your group, just make sure your the guy with the keys to the truck!! Lol
 
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teamlipske

New member
XC500Mod,

Are you really talking about riding your snowmobiles out west with that crew of cousins I saw you with in Joanys Sidekicks about 7 years ago? I think you told me you guys rode up from Mercer and you had to sleep in Joanys living room because some of your guys were sucking beer right off the taps! You'll need a lot more that track length to survive a trip with that crew! Better bring a tent!

-TeamLipske
 
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polarisrider1

New member
snoluver1 said:
This is a great point also. Seen many a guy's vacation ruined by bringing the wrong crew members! Some people think its all gum drops and lollipops. They had no idea they would have to "work" on their vacation, and they want nothing to do with it. Next thing you know, they are crying to go home. If your unsure about anybody in your group, just make sure your the guy with the keys to the truck!! Lol
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Very good info. I let up on asking the "Posers". They do drag the group down.
 
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ctlittle

New member
Just make sure that you have avalanche gear and I would highly recommend taking an avalanche class. Skidoo was offering them free of charge throughout the united states a few years back. It doesn't mean much if you have the gear and don't know how to use it. There is a few videos out there if you cant find a class. make sure you check avalanche reports everyday also.

When we were out there in early march last year we witnessed six avalanches and the second day we were there a kid got killed in Cooke city, we were in west Yellowstone.
 
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