Conditions are updated frequently and change nearly daily...
These are just some generals we know for sure.
Friday March 17 update and changes:
A slight dusting of new snow on Wed, so some trails will have an inch or two of spring fluff. Weekend looks great and sunny with highs in the 30s, cold freezing temps overnight, so snow will be firm in the mornings, soften afternoons.
More snow in the forecast for next week, as well as spring temperatures, so snow conditions will continue through the spring for great skiing.
West Fork Road:
Grooming scheduled for Friday - great snow depth and conditions. Grooming will be up about 3.5 miles, plus the campground loop. The trail is also in good condition for walking and dogs as well. But please respect and stay off the skiing paths as much as possible. The next WF grooming is slated for next Tuesday morning Conditions are good! Lots of snow, good coverage. With warm temps, morning skiing will be harder pack and fast. Multi use traffic on the road, so be aware of frozen footprints, etc.. Please pick up your dog poop - there are bags and garbage cans. Silver Run Trails:
Deep snow, but trails are walkable with ice cleats. Skiing is challenging due to hardpack tracks and narrow trails. Not a beginner ski trail. First loop is ski able for an experienced skier.. other trails get challenging due to hard snow and narrow trails.
Palisades/ Willow/ Nichols Creek Trails:
Softer snow conditions on Willow Creek trails due to less sunshine exposure. Palisades trail is accessible from trailhead just past the Nordic Center turnoff on Fox Road. Lots of snow on Palisades!
As of Dec 1, Palisades trail is off limits to dogs until July 1, due to wildlife habitat areas. Great snowshoe trails!
Tons of snow, great conditions. Watch for obstacles under the powder if you get off the trail at all. Watch for snow sluffs and small snow slides on the side hill terrain
Lake Fork Road:
Full snow coverage. Road is hardpack and super fast coming back downhill. Trailside from old bridge area to Lions Camp is sketchy and not super ski able... Trail above the old bridge area is great snow, and great coverage.
Glacier Lake Road:
Hardpack and windblown areas. Bare spots, and big drifts, due to sunshine and spring winds. Parkside Campground and Greenough campgrounds are skiable. Forest Service gate is closed at the lower level, near LimberPine Campground. Glacier Lake road is thin in spots due to wind, but mostly skiable. Campgrounds are a great place to go snow shoeing.
Highway is plowed, but road into Parkside campground or beyond is not plowed. Watch for snow slides and avalanche exposure.
East Rosebud: Snow report: Deep slushy and icy snow in the valley, road is not plowed. High winds are causing road blocks and huge drifts.
Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation is asking for letter writing help!
Interstate Engineering -- the contract engineering firm for Carbon County, Montana -- is helping the county apply for a Federal Lands Access Program grant to repair Flood damage and overdue maintenance on the East Rosebud Road. They are looking for letters of support from trail users who will benefit from the road reopening. ABWF will be writing our own letter supporting the proposal. We had to cancel one Weekend Weedpull and one Educational Hike last summer, plus all East Rosebud Trail Ambassador outreach, because of the road damage. So the repairs will help us resume volunteer stewardship work in this popular area. We also want to do our part supporting Carbon County in its important role as a co-steward of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
If you would like to write a letter of support, you can email it to Rebecca Shaw-Quiñones at Rebecca.SQ@interstateeng.com before March 24.
Lots of road, bridge, trail and home damage in the valley. The road is open to Jimmy Joe Campground, and the campground is open (with a closed section in the center). The road to East Rosebud is not accessible by vehicle, 4 wheeler or bicycle due to extreme damage.
Mystic Lake Trail: Mystic Lake Trail head is accessible all the way to the trailhead, with the replacement of the bridge at Chicken creek (as of 9/23)
Road is not plowed, so drive at your own risk after these snowfalls! Mystic Lake trail is drifted, so snowshoes are recommended.
Beartooth Ranger District:: Please call the Beartooth Ranger District at 406-446-2103 or stop by the office in Red Lodge 8am to 4:30 pm weekdays with questions.
A slight dusting of new snow on Wed, so some trails will have an inch or two of spring fluff. Weekend looks great and sunny with highs in the 30s, cold freezing temps overnight, so snow will be firm in the mornings, soften afternoons.
More snow in the forecast for next week, as well as spring temperatures, so snow conditions will continue through the spring for great skiing.
West Fork Road:
Grooming scheduled for Friday - great snow depth and conditions. Grooming will be up about 3.5 miles, plus the campground loop. The trail is also in good condition for walking and dogs as well. But please respect and stay off the skiing paths as much as possible. The next WF grooming is slated for next Tuesday morning Conditions are good! Lots of snow, good coverage. With warm temps, morning skiing will be harder pack and fast. Multi use traffic on the road, so be aware of frozen footprints, etc.. Please pick up your dog poop - there are bags and garbage cans. Silver Run Trails:
Deep snow, but trails are walkable with ice cleats. Skiing is challenging due to hardpack tracks and narrow trails. Not a beginner ski trail. First loop is ski able for an experienced skier.. other trails get challenging due to hard snow and narrow trails.
Palisades/ Willow/ Nichols Creek Trails:
Softer snow conditions on Willow Creek trails due to less sunshine exposure. Palisades trail is accessible from trailhead just past the Nordic Center turnoff on Fox Road. Lots of snow on Palisades!
As of Dec 1, Palisades trail is off limits to dogs until July 1, due to wildlife habitat areas. Great snowshoe trails!
Tons of snow, great conditions. Watch for obstacles under the powder if you get off the trail at all. Watch for snow sluffs and small snow slides on the side hill terrain
Lake Fork Road:
Full snow coverage. Road is hardpack and super fast coming back downhill. Trailside from old bridge area to Lions Camp is sketchy and not super ski able... Trail above the old bridge area is great snow, and great coverage.
Glacier Lake Road:
Hardpack and windblown areas. Bare spots, and big drifts, due to sunshine and spring winds. Parkside Campground and Greenough campgrounds are skiable. Forest Service gate is closed at the lower level, near LimberPine Campground. Glacier Lake road is thin in spots due to wind, but mostly skiable. Campgrounds are a great place to go snow shoeing.
Highway is plowed, but road into Parkside campground or beyond is not plowed. Watch for snow slides and avalanche exposure.
East Rosebud: Snow report: Deep slushy and icy snow in the valley, road is not plowed. High winds are causing road blocks and huge drifts.
Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation is asking for letter writing help!
Interstate Engineering -- the contract engineering firm for Carbon County, Montana -- is helping the county apply for a Federal Lands Access Program grant to repair Flood damage and overdue maintenance on the East Rosebud Road. They are looking for letters of support from trail users who will benefit from the road reopening. ABWF will be writing our own letter supporting the proposal. We had to cancel one Weekend Weedpull and one Educational Hike last summer, plus all East Rosebud Trail Ambassador outreach, because of the road damage. So the repairs will help us resume volunteer stewardship work in this popular area. We also want to do our part supporting Carbon County in its important role as a co-steward of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
If you would like to write a letter of support, you can email it to Rebecca Shaw-Quiñones at Rebecca.SQ@interstateeng.com before March 24.
Lots of road, bridge, trail and home damage in the valley. The road is open to Jimmy Joe Campground, and the campground is open (with a closed section in the center). The road to East Rosebud is not accessible by vehicle, 4 wheeler or bicycle due to extreme damage.
Mystic Lake Trail: Mystic Lake Trail head is accessible all the way to the trailhead, with the replacement of the bridge at Chicken creek (as of 9/23)
Road is not plowed, so drive at your own risk after these snowfalls! Mystic Lake trail is drifted, so snowshoes are recommended.
Beartooth Ranger District:: Please call the Beartooth Ranger District at 406-446-2103 or stop by the office in Red Lodge 8am to 4:30 pm weekdays with questions.
Give us a call at (406) 446-1770 if you're looking for a more current or specific trail report!
If you would like to be Emailed about Trail conditions Fill out the form below.
If you would like to be Emailed about Trail conditions Fill out the form below.