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Guardsman Winter Gate
Guardsman Winter Gate
Trailhead Elevation 8,900'
Trailhead Location 40.6114° / -111.5773°
Road Mileage 14.5 miles
Online Map View on wbskiing.com

The Guardsman road between Big Cottonwood Canyon and Park City is closed in the winter a few miles before Guardsman Pass. From the closure gate you can access numerous locations including USA Bowl, Scott Hill, Pinecone Ridge, Scotts Pass, Scott's Backdoor, Guardsman Pass, Tri-County Peak, 10420 Northeast Bowl, 10420, Promise Land, Brighton Hill, Hidden Canyon, etc. You can also access runs on the other side of Pinecone Ridge such as Scott's Bowl, Radar Love Bowl, and No No Name Bowl.

Looking Northeast from the Guardsman Trailhead
Looking Southeast from the Guardsman Trailhead
Guardsman Winter Gate
Backcountry Amenities

Big Cottonwood Canyon is protected watershed and snowmobiles are required to remain on the Guardsman road. However, there are a few bad apples in every bunch and you'll find snowmobile tracks throughout the area.

Getting to the Guardsman Trailhead

Drive 13.5 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and turn left onto Guardsman Pass Road (the turnoff is about a half mile before the Brighton loop). This is a sharp turn! Swing wide and make sure there isn't any downhill traffic before proceeding.

Drive about a mile up the "guard road" to the (hopefully buried) winter gate.

The parking can get crowded. Make sure your read the somewhat confusing signs and park legally. Parking is only allowed on the north side of the road and is not allowed in the cul-de-sac (because snowmobilers use it to turn their trailers around).

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