Pole Hill in the snow - Friday, Saturday or Sunday

[RockyMtRebel]

Hey y’all, Pole Hill just before you get to Estes Park and a fun yet easy trail system with great views. I have never ran it in the snow but it sounds fun.... and more challenging! Is anyone interested? Friday, Saturday or Sunday.....

[Jim]

'innerested

[RockyMtRebel]

Which day Jim?

[Jim]

How's Saturday - Temps look warmer (not that it much matters).

[RockyMtRebel]

Works for me. Saturday it is. What time you think you wanna start? I’m good for anytime ;). I’ll be driving the Powerwagon!

[Jim]

10 @ trailhead?

[RockyMtRebel]

Works for me! I’ll post a calendar event

[open_circuit]

I don't recall if I've ever run pole hill. Do you have coordinates or a map link to the meetup/trailhead?

[Tom]

I don't recall if I've ever run pole hill. Do you have coordinates or a map link to the meetup/trailhead?
Dropped pin
Near 750-786 Pole Hill Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517
https://goo.gl/maps/FMqm6ZdGWtjzVtnh9

[open_circuit]

Thanks, I remember running this one a year ago with you and Jim. I found a snake in the bathroom at the gas station in Lyons that morning!

[Jim]

So, you've yet to run it with snow? ;)

[open_circuit]

So, you've yet to run it with snow? ;)

I've only been snow wheeling a couple times, mostly by accident. Considering joining tomorrow, though. I don't have chains or lockers, so I'm concerned about becoming a burden.

[Jim]

No burden.

I question how much snow might be on the trail - specifically in the one rocky spot near the entrance that mostly has a bypass. As the trail is somewhat an in-n-out (with two loops) if you wished to bail early the rest of the group would be progressing out the same way just in case you became stuck (unlikely).

Depending upon snow conditions near the entrance of the trail (decision point at the intersection for the circles) we could decide if we wished to try going "up" the difficult, undulated part (clockwise near panorama peak) or the typical/scenic views of down / counter-clockwise of the loop. The difficult / undulated hill is fairly tree covered so going down might be the plan.

I'm not sure what Steven has for traction. I'll bring both sets of chains and you can use a set if you wish (they're for 35's and you're at 33's??? so they should fit).

[Steve-O]

I have nothing for traction and I'm running stock (215?) tires :erm: I'm wondering if I'm in trouble here...

[Jim]

I don't think (famous last words) snow will be significant, overall.

Checking the Estes Park webcams for snow - there is not an even, uniform layer of snow. A fair bit of grass/soil is exposed.

https://www.estesparkwebcams.com/

https://www.estesparkwebcams.com/carriage-hills-webcam-two-estes-park/

[Steve-O]

Well, I'll be there tomorrow and we will see how it goes!

[RockyMtRebel]

I don’t have chains for my big tires, but I’m not too worried. Shouldn’t be a lot of snow and it will be fairly warm tomorrow hopefully!

[RockyMtRebel]

I have chains for 35’s I could bring along if someone wants me to. I was going to buy a set for 37’s the other day but completely forgot. I will be getting chains for my 37’s, planning on running the Ram most of the time this winter. Thinking about getting a plow installed on my Jeep

[vector07]

is pole hill open due to the cameron peak fire?

[RockyMtRebel]

is pole hill open due to the cameron peak fire?

yes they opened most roads from Estes Park south.

I always double check here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/home/?cid=fsm91_058362