Utah dune riding in winter

[gumby_55]

Usually when the it gets cold, and the snow starts to fly I would break out the sled. Well that won't work because I don't have one anymore, so I'm wondering if the dunes are ridable through the winter months. If so, what is it like? So far I'm banking on being able to go to White Sands, and Sand Mountain throughout the winter. Hopefully it won't snow too much so I can keep going to 5 mile pass, and hopefully a couple MX tracks. Thanks.

[ktyfz]

I usto like it when the snow started to fall here in Salt Lake, but now I dread it coming. The snowboard just doesn't look as fun as it once did. I went out to the dunes a few weeks ago when it was between 35-39 degrees. Just wear a coat and it's great. I think the sand at Little Sahara will start to get pretty packed/frozen as it starts getting colder. I went to 5-mile last year in Jan when it was covered with snow and it was still pretty fun. Usually what I do during the winter is head to St. George and hit Sand Hallow - those are the sand dunes outside of St. George.

[Woody_393]

The dunes are pretty great in the winter to be honest, and I don't care much for the dunes.

Rain, snow, shine, they are almost always rideable.

[gumby_55]

I sure that the sand hardens up in the cold. My question is how much does it harden up? It it still loose enough for a paddle?

[Woody_393]

Hmm... good question. I've never ran a paddle. It's kind of like after it rains. However, I've not been down there when it's been wet and freezing...

[yz_loco]

The dunes are a lot of fun in the winter as not much snow seems to fall down there. It does get cold and the sand hardens up quite a bit, so I never run a paddle in the winter. I'm headed down on Friday and will post again with current conditions. I'm pretty sure the riding is good as I live on one of the main roads (Hwy 6) leading to the dunes. I've seen several trucks and trailers heading down this week for a little pre-Christmas vacation.

[2fun]

Originally posted by yz_loco
The dunes are a lot of fun in the winter as not much snow seems to fall down there. It does get cold and the sand hardens up quite a bit, so I never run a paddle in the winter. I'm headed down on Friday and will post again with current conditions. I'm pretty sure the riding is good as I live on one of the main roads (Hwy 6) leading to the dunes. I've seen several trucks and trailers heading down this week for a little pre-Christmas vacation.

I see this is your 1st post.
Welcome to ATM.
Hope to see you posting often!

[Woody_YZF]

Originally posted by yz_loco
The dunes are a lot of fun in the winter as not much snow seems to fall down there. It does get cold and the sand hardens up quite a bit, so I never run a paddle in the winter. I'm headed down on Friday and will post again with current conditions. I'm pretty sure the riding is good as I live on one of the main roads (Hwy 6) leading to the dunes. I've seen several trucks and trailers heading down this week for a little pre-Christmas vacation.

It's supposed to be cold!! I thought of heading down Friday also, but don't know if I'm willing to go freeze. I have a bunch of family in Santaquin. What do you ride?

[yz_loco]

Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking for quite a while, but just never posted.

I hear it will be a little cold, but I just wear a pair of thermals under my gear and all is good. The best part about riding the dunes in the winter is that you basically have the whole place to yourself. Also, my bike seems to do better in the winter when the sand is a little bit heavier. In the spring and fall it just seems to fall off the pipe if I'm not flogging the motor.

I guess I need to take some time and work on my signature. I've included a lame attempt with some bike basics, but will fix it up later.

[Woody_YZF]

Originally posted by yz_loco
Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking for quite a while, but just never posted.

I hear it will be a little cold, but I just wear a pair of thermals under my gear and all is good. The best part about riding the dunes in the winter is that you basically have the whole place to yourself. Also, my bike seems to do better in the winter when the sand is a little bit heavier. In the spring and fall it just seems to fall off the pipe if I'm not flogging the motor.

I guess I need to take some time and work on my signature. I've included a lame attempt with some bike basics, but will fix it up later.

Right on, hope to go riding with you some day.

[ktyfz]

Sand Hallow down by St. George is awesome this time of year. I was down there last weekend. Very nice weather! 65 degrees in December! Going back next weekend for more :-D

[Woody_YZF]

Originally posted by Crunk
Sand Hallow down by St. George is awesome this time of year. I was down there last weekend. Very nice weather! 65 degrees in December! Going back next weekend for more :-D

For New Years? When are you leaving? How long are you staying? It's supposed to be cold up here? I need a reason to take the Excursion on a road trip.

[ktyfz]

I'm leaving here on Tuesday or Wednesday and staying until Sunday. It looks like it will be stormy down there on Wednesday and Thursday, but is looking like it will be clearing up on Friday and Saturday. My parents and my wifes parents live down there, so we take a lot of trips down (especially in the winter). My dad and brother are into riding too. We typically have a few people riding with us, so it makes for a good time. I have to say that people down there have some fast machines. I was getting worked over last weekend. Got beat by a stinking Raptor, but it had a 690 kit plus some more mods. One of my dads bikes is a 250R with a 370 kit .. hauls some serious booty. If you decided to go down let me know. Kirt and Kevin talked about going down too, but not sure if they are going to or not.

[Woody_YZF]

The problem is, we are in charge of our family party New Years Eve, so chances are very slim. I was just dreaming for a minute. I rejetted my quad today and put in the YZ needle, now I just need my back sprocket (hopefully today) and then I can put my new sprockets and chain on. I also bought new gear and boots, so I need to get out and try all this stuff out. This cold weather is killing me!!

[ktyfz]

After I put in the YZ needle my quad was running way to rich. Initially I had a 168 main and the YZ needle clip on the 4th setting. I moved the clip to the 3rd slot and put in a 165 main. Its running much better now. I read on yfzcentral that when changing to the YZ needle you need to go down a size on the main. What jetting settings did you end up with? I was really surprised that I needed to go back to the 165 main.

[yz_loco]

Well, we had an awesome ride today, but we decided not to go to the dunes. We hit the track down in Fillmore and had a great time. I don't know if you guys have ever been down there before, but it's really worth the drive. The owners of the track really make you feel welcome, and they really take good care of the dirt.

The ground was pretty frozen, but it started to thaw a little after we'd been riding for an hour or so. They got on it with the tractor and it helped a little, but we still had to be careful on a couple of the turns and some of the jump faces. It was cold, but it was just what the doctor ordered to get me in the Christmas spirit.

If you want more info / directions, just let me know.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]


Rich

[DuneRider]

I live 15 min. from sandmountain NV and the riding is great I try and go there as much as I can. The winter makes the sand a little more stiff and better traction on the sand. I run with sandpaddles all winter at the dunes here and it really donsnt effect it too much. The sand is not quit hard enough to ride normal tires. Also not so many people as in the summer you almost have the whole place to yourself.

[Woody_YZF]

Originally posted by Crunk
After I put in the YZ needle my quad was running way to rich. Initially I had a 168 main and the YZ needle clip on the 4th setting. I moved the clip to the 3rd slot and put in a 165 main. Its running much better now. I read on yfzcentral that when changing to the YZ needle you need to go down a size on the main. What jetting settings did you end up with? I was really surprised that I needed to go back to the 165 main.

I had a 165 main and just went up to a 170 for the winter. I'll see how it goes, but it seems to run well, but I haven't actually ridden it. I had a 165 before with the stock needle. A 170 may be too big. I put the YZ needle on the 4th setting. We'll have to see how it goes. I probably shouldn't be too far from what you are.

[sandduner350]

I have been out riding the little sahara sand dunes in december. I ride with paddles. When I went out there wasn't a lot of people but it was still rideable, just very cold. One thing though riding some of the "bowls, berms" or whatever they are called when there is snow on them its easier to slide down. You got to give it a lot of gas.

Just remember "when in doubt throttle out".

[2fun]

Originally Posted by sandduner350

I have been out riding the little sahara sand dunes in december. I ride with paddles. When I went out there wasn't a lot of people but it was still rideable, just very cold. One thing though riding some of the "bowls, berms" or whatever they are called when there is snow on them its easier to slide down. You got to give it a lot of gas.

Just remember "when in doubt throttle out".

Wow!! Talk about an old thread!! LOL!

I know it doesn't always seem intuitive to "throttle out", but you are correct in that many times that is the best thing to do!