Anyone been up the backside lately? Of if the gate at the Oracle Ridge mine is even open. I thought I'd take the wife and kids up to turn blue and eat some chili & cornbread at the Iron Door.
Mt. Lemon
- Thread starter splitshot
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I would assume that it is closed due to the severity of snow fall over the past 2 weeks, before that it was open for some time (even w/ snow on the road). Maybe check for road closures, I'm going snowboarding tomorrow up there, if I have time I'll see if the first gate is even open.
Usually the Backroad is gated at the top just past the Fire Station.
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- #4
Thanks, get me a snow depth if you go. I'll have to take my wife's truck as my cruiser needs a new winter coat. (My Bestop has developed some new windows).
Last Wed it was around 18" ~ 24" at the top. Glorious boarding to boot!
Tomorrow should be awesome with this last storm rolling through.
Tomorrow should be awesome with this last storm rolling through.
They close it every year.....at the Fire Station.
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I guess in the old days they did'nt care about the welfare of us wheelers.
They just received over the past two days 7-9 inches on top of the last fridays 20-26. Last week there were only 2 people in the parking lot @ 9:00 didn't have to ride the lift w/ anyone all day!!! Such a great place we have in our backyard, can't beat that w/ a stick. I'll tell you how it goes.
My dad used to work at that mine. The back route is always open. and theres more than one way to get up there if not. I think the best way (and most scenic way) is to go through San Manuel and out the back till the road stops.. then turn right. cause left takes you to mammoth and .... reddington. I was up there last year. The gate is still closed and locked to the mine ever since the accident. And most everything was still pretty cooked from the fire. but still a nice view and day trip.
-Ron
-Ron
Actually the back road is definatly closed right now, if you call the sheriffs road conditions hot line (547-7510) it states that this road will be closed indefintaly till spring. Went boarding up at the lemmon yesterday (friday) untouched 12" of powder, such a great day + 20" base, hardly anyone up there. Show up there this morning and the entire parking lot is filled by 9:45 am + 100' line to get a lift ticket
. My girlfriend and I decided to spend our day sleding on a nice quite hill outside of summerhaven instead(good decision). Escaped before the truck loads of people were coming up. so nice to be able to go up to snow, and when your done, warm up @ the desert floor. Only in Tucson, Ski Valley the most southern ski resort in the united states Pray for more snow.
. My girlfriend and I decided to spend our day sleding on a nice quite hill outside of summerhaven instead(good decision). Escaped before the truck loads of people were coming up. so nice to be able to go up to snow, and when your done, warm up @ the desert floor. Only in Tucson, Ski Valley the most southern ski resort in the united states Pray for more snow.
Wuss!
I love the short bit of cold we get. You're riding the bike to work aren't you? I got 3 words for you, Leather Riding Gear. And windblock fleece gloves.
Yes....the road is open all year though it's gated at the top before the Fire Station. If ya go it's a long way back down to Oracle.
Most times I've seen the gate @ the mine closed so that you can take the route to reddington w/ out wasting your time going up to the fire gate, but it has been a year or so since I've been back there during winter.
I was out there a week ago and the read was closed just before you got to the snow!
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What about Dan saddle? Has that road been open at all? Guess w/the mine being closed you'd have to hike in.
Damn right. The bike gets 3x the mileage as the jeep. I prefer the synthetics to leather....except for summer weight gloves and boots. Windblock fleece is no good for riding. Hit the ground with them one time and not only do the gloves shred, so do your hands.
Even in full gear (jacket, pants, liners for both, gloves, boots, helmet) and with the heated grips turned up...it has still been friggin cold at 6:00am on the west side for the past couple weeks.