Wright’s Mesa offers snowmobile riding for everyone! If you’re looking for wide open spaces, expansive meadows and rolling hills, miles upon miles of groomed trails, deep powder and ample face shots, you will love snowmobiling around Lone Cone and Beaver Park. The area boasts an astounding 124 miles of groomed trails in the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests, just minutes from Norwood!
Where To Go And How To Get There
From Norwood, the main parking area is approximately 13 miles south of Norwood at the intersection of County Road 44ZS (Lone Cone Road) and County Road M44 (Beef Trail Road). Additionally, snowmobilers may park in the Busted Arm Draw trailhead and follow the designated snowmobile route to County Road M44. Lone Cone Road is well maintained making access to parking easy. Busted Arm Draw is a multi-use trailhead which is also used by nordic skiers and snowshoers where children and dogs are running around. Please be cautious and courteous when parking at Busted Arm Draw.
Once you’re unloaded and ready to ride, proceed East on County Road M44 until it’s intersection with Forest Service Road 611. From there, turn right (South) onto Forest Service Road 611 and proceed for a couple of miles until you cross the National Forest boundary. After that it’s game on! Once you’ve crossed into the National Forest, you can continue to ride along the forest roads and groomed trails. There are multiple areas for thrill seekers and intermediate/advanced riders to bail off the trail for deep powder and an ultimate backcountry riding experience.
The Galloway Road is a groomed trail which will take you up to tree line and next to Lone Cone. This is a great trail for novice through expert sledders alike. The areas along the groomed trails next to The Cone offer numerous opportunities for backcountry sledding and ample powder riding. Just remember to exercise extreme caution traveling on, near and around slopes steeper than 30 degrees as they are highly prone to avalanche slides.
Additionally, following Forest Service Road 611 east will take you to Beaver Park, which is a mecca of large, open-field riding. Beaver Park is a main connection point for traveling to farther off destinations such as Woods Lake and Telluride, Dunton Hot Springs, and Groundhog Reservoir. Also located in Beaver Park is the Lone Cone Cabin, which is available for rent by the US Forest Service.
What If I Don’t Have A Sled?
If it’s a machine you’re lacking, or you’re just visiting the area and looking for a fun backcountry winter experience, Telluride Outside offers snowmobile tours to Beaver Park from their snow base located 30 minutes from Norwood and Telluride, just a couple miles from Woods Lake on Fall Creek Road. Telluride Outside offers half-day, advanced half-day and full-day snowmobile tours which includes lunch at Lone Cone Cabin.
Telluride Outside partners with the West End Sledders to groom trails which traverse forests, glades and meadows, while surrounded by breathtaking backdrops of the Wilson Range, Dolores Peak, Little Cone, Lone Cone, the Sneffels Range and the La Sal Mountains of eastern Utah.
The West End Sledder Poker Run
Each year, the West End Sledders hosts a poker run in which participants visit checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one, with the objective being to have the best hand at the end of the poker run. The poker run begins and ends at the main parking area at Beef Trail Road and the Busted Arm Draw trailhead. This year’s Poker Run is slated for Saturday, February 4, 2023.
For trail maps and more information on snowmobiling around Norwood, please visit the GMUG National Forest office, or Hi-Country Motor Sports in Norwood.