Cataract 2011/12

[Masterquadman]

I went up to Cataract on Sunday and rode west from the parking lot down the creek access. The snow was about 8" deep but was enough to cover the gravel on the access road. We then headed south toward skyline and oyster. The snow was anywhere from knee deep to waist deep. In fact my buddy was riding my Jag 440 and was having difficulty making it. Even got the mountain sled stuck in some waist deep stuff at the top of skyline. The snow came down all day with accumulations of 3" and was snowing heavily when we left. Breaking trail with the virgin powder was a blast.

 

[Masterquadman]

sorry i didn't get any photos of the deep stuff but after spending 1/2 hour digging my sled out I guess I forgot to take any. lol

 

[calgarysledguy]

Thanks for the pictures and update.

Hope it dumps out there.Snowfall warning
Alerts: Kananaskis Country, Alberta - The Weather Network

 

[neddacsac]

Looks like a nice one for saturday.Might have to take a poke over fording.

 

[2uppolaris]

Hi all! We are brand new to Cataract... We are hoping to meet someone this weekend who has a 2 up sled like us and if not, a small group who wouldn't mind showing us around. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Catchme]

That just sounds like a plan for Saturday. Take a run over Fording and see what's up. If snow is limited we can always head up skyline.

 

[unkle dirrt]

Hey guys I'm heading out on Sunday with 3 sleds.2 formula 583's and a crossfire 7. I've never been out here before so any suggestions as to where the best areas are to go or rather where to find snow there this early.I've heard a bit about skyline and oyster and fording pass?. Is it easy for a newbie like myself to navigate out there and get to these areas? I'm hoping the map at the kiosk will help.should be fun anyhow see you out there

 

[snopro]

Hey guys I'm heading out on Sunday with 3 sleds.2 formula 583's and a crossfire 7. I've never been out here before so any suggestions as to where the best areas are to go or rather where to find snow there this early.I've heard a bit about skyline and oyster and fording pass?. Is it easy for a newbie like myself to navigate out there and get to these areas? I'm hoping the map at the kiosk will help.should be fun anyhow see you out there

Piece of cake for those sleds.

 

[calgarysledguy]

Lots of places to go out there. If you haven't been over fording and arnt going with someone who has i wouldn't recommend it.Lots of marked trails you can fallow

 

[unkle dirrt]

Awesome thanks for the pointers I guess well follow the signs and hope for the best!

 

[shawnmcgr]

Also would not recommend fording pass. You might consider bringing a power saw as well. There doesn't seem to have been much of a clean up this fall. I cut 3 trees of of raspberry, probably more out there.

 

[unkle dirrt]

Cool thanks I do have a pretty knarly hand saw just in case.so what is the deal with fording pass? I saw a YouTube vid of it.looks kinda like a big bowl kinda with lotts of boulders here and there.what are the real hazards to worry about?

 

[calgarysledguy]

Cool thanks I do have a pretty knarly hand saw just in case.so what is the deal with fording pass? I saw a YouTube vid of it.looks kinda like a big bowl kinda with lotts of boulders here and there.what are the real hazards to worry about?

It can be nice when you get back there....... You gota go across a long shale spot not really marked(trail wize) usually no snow up there.Lots of rock hazards,3 creek crossings.Can be very windy with next to no visability.I had been over 4 times last year and still got turned around on the top.It was blowing and snowing so bad. I felt bad for the people fallowing me out when i told them i know where i was going LOL.There was like 10 people and it was a guessing game for like 15 min.LOL.Good old gps.

 

[neddacsac]

Ha! The power saw is a must for the first ride of the year out there. Nice to see pepole out there doing what they can to make the trails better

 

[unkle dirrt]

Ok that's enough reasons to stay away from fording for now.ill get my feet wet out there a few times first then ill give er a try later on this season. Thanks for the help

 

[bombdrop]

.....

 

[distortedcloud]

I'm going to try and hit up cataract area in Saturday and Sunday.Meeting up with someone there Sunday, but Saturday I'm by myself, if anyone doesnt mind a relatively new rider to tag along, PM me if you'd like to meet up.Was there last weekend, wasn't bad, some hazards and open creeks, but you play it safe, you'll be fine.

 

[Smithys]

It can be nice when you get back there....... You gota go across a long shale spot not really marked(trail wize) usually no snow up there.Lots of rock hazards,3 creek crossings.Can be very windy with next to no visability.I had been over 4 times last year and still got turned around on the top.It was blowing and snowing so bad. I felt bad for the people fallowing me out when i told them i know where i was going LOL.There was like 10 people and it was a guessing game for like 15 min.LOL.Good old gps.

I was one of the guys out there when we all got turned around. Great area with interesting weather conditions for sure.

 

[Grunger]

Went out on Dec 3. A nice day putting the first miles on the new sled. Stayed on the AB side. Lots of snow south of Cataract. Staged at Etherington though. The climb heading south up towards Skyline had some great drifts on the incline. I hope to head back there next weekend.

 

[unkle dirrt]

Went out on Sunday.lotts of snow everywhere.didn't find a single tree down which was good.going back out Saturday!