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|
| 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.
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.
| 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.)
| 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.
Beginner terrain
that is good as you develop your backcountry skills and when the avalanche danger is higher. Click for details.
Intermediate
terrain that requires more experience in skinning and skiing. Click for details.
Advanced terrain
that requires strong skiing and skinning skills. Click for details.
Expert terrain that is
challenging and a small mistake can have serious consequences. Click for details.
Extreme terrain
that includes insanely difficult chute skiing and beyond. Click for details.
The difficulty of this terrain
varies widely. Click for details.
This terrain hasn't
been rated. Click for details.
