Lone Butte Sno Park snowmobile adventure near Mt Adams

Winter continues to be disappointing with the ups and downs. One day it snows then the next it rains. The forecast called for lowering snow levels Thursday and Friday, so Kevin and I took Friday off to go snowmobiling near Mt Adams. We chose one to launch from Lone Butte Sno-Park on the Western side of Indian Heaven Wilderness. It sits an elevation of 3,160 feet off Forest Road 30 at it's junction with Forest Road 32. This sno-park is the end of the plowed road in the winter and has parking on both sides of the road

This is only the third time I have been snowmobiling in the Mt Adams area and my first to Lone Butte Sno-Park. I have ridden to the berry fields from Flattop Sno-Park before (East side of Indian Heaven Wilderness). The Snotel site in the area showed 7 feet of snow which is way more than in the Mt Hood area, so we were excited.

   

There were a handful of rigs already at Lone Butte Sno-Park when we arrived. We asked directions from a couple of snowmobilers getting ready to ride. We ended up running into them again and sledding with them the rest of the day.

Unfortunately it didn't get as cold as was forecast, so the snow was wet and easy to get stuck in. We didn't spend very much time in the berry fields and headed to a smaller open spot to play in for awhile. With the help of our new friend Steve, Kevin and I worked on laying our sleds over and riding sharp circles. It was a blast and fun to finally have enough snow to really put our machines to the test. Kevin's new Arctic Cat ran real well.

   

When we had enough of the wet snow we headed back to the sno park. We ended up following our new friends into Stevenson to grab a bite to eat before heading home. As I have said numerous times before, most snowmobilers are the nicest people in the world. They are always eager to help those in need. Thanks Steve!

2017/18 Mileage

Trip: 18 miles
Season: 88 miles
Total Days: 4

2016/17 Season: 239 miles, 8 days

2015/16 Season: 408 miles, 15 days

Gear List

2014 Polaris 800 Pro RMK Snowmobile
Up North Technologies PRO SERIES Snowmobile Cargo Rack
P-700-B Low Profile Powder Keg
HMK Summit V16 Pack
GMAX GM76X Helmet
Smith Phenom Turbo Fan Goggles
Columbia Men’s Bugaboot Max Electric Boots
HMK Hustler 2 Snowmobile Pants
Columbia Titanium Hightail II Softshell Jacket
HMK Cascade Snowmobile Jacket
Columbia Powerfly Down Puff Jacket
Head Digital Sport Liner Gloves
Outdoor Research Ambit Gloves
Columbia Men's Fast Trek Fleece Hat
Balaclava
HighGear ATF8 Altimeter
Petzl TIKKA XP 2 Headlamp
Olympus Tough TG-1 Camera
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Snow Shovel
Fiskars POWER TOOTH Softgrip 10" Folding Saw
Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 Auto
First Aid Kit
SPOT Gen3
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active w/BackCountry Navigator
Suunto A-10 Compass