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Maple Grove Trailhead/Gate
Maple Grove Trailhead
Trailhead Elevation 6,100'
Trailhead Location 40.7000° / -111.7135°
Road Mileage 4.0 miles (from booth)
Online Map View on wbskiing.com

The Mill Creek Canyon road is closed during the winter at the Maple Grove picnic area which is located four miles past the Mill Creek Canyon entrance booth. The road usually closes on November 1st and reopens on July 1st.

Mill Creek Canyon Road

The closed section of the Mill Creek Canyon road is popular with crosscountry skiers and snowshoers. It is very low angle and not really a ski run, but skinning to Elbow Fork or to the Big Water parking lot is a good way to get a little exercise when the avalanche hazard is higher or if you simply want to get familiar with your backcountry gear. The road also provides access to excellent backcountry skiing further up Mill Creek Canyon.

There is usually a groomed ski track on the side of the snow-covered road. You may feel like you're standing still as skate skiers fly by while you trudge along on your "heavy" backcountry gear, but you'll be getting a workout just as they are. When the snow is hard packed, it's sometimes faster to strap you skis to your pack and hike in.

Maple Grove to Elbow Fork

Elbow Fork from Maple Grove
Trailhead Maple Grove
Trailhead Elevation 6,100'
Ending Elevation 6,600'
Total Vertical 500'
Skinning Distance 1.4 miles
Ending GPS 40.7068° / -111.6900°
Online Map View on wbskiing.com

It takes about a half-hour to skin from the Maple Grove gate to Elbow Fork on backcountry ski gear. Elbow Fork has restrooms (a backcountry rarity) and trails that lead to Mount Aire and Lambs Canyon Pass. The road turns sharply to the right at Elbow Fork (hence the name "elbow") as it continues on to the Big Water parking lot. (Don't confuse this Elbow Fork with the Elbow Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon.)

Maple Grove to Big Water

Big Water Trailhead from Maple Grove
Trailhead Maple Grove
Trailhead Elevation 6,100'
Ending Elevation 7,600'
Total Vertical 1,500'
Skinning Distance 4.5 miles
Ending GPS 40.6845° / -111.6469°
Online Map View on wbskiing.com

It takes about two hours to skin the 4.5 miles and 1,500 feet from the Maple Grove gate to the Big Water parking lot. The Big Water parking lot is the trailhead for numerous backcountry adventures, although much of that terrain is easier to access from Big Cottonwood Canyon or Park City's Canyons Village.