Backcountry shots around SLC

[Killclimbz]

So I am spending 4 days at the end of the month in Utah. I am bringing my avy gear and splitboard and plan on mostly doing BC around there. I know there are a ton of spots to hit. I will be staying by Powder Mtn as a reference point. I am looking for areas that will give me multiple options based on the avy conditions. So areas with good tree runs, and some low angle stuff would be nice. Having the option to do steep open lines would be nice too. Access wise, a couple of miles in doesn't bother me, but easy access for quick laps is nice too. Hints, suggestions, what trails/passes/areas should I look at?

Thanks!

 

[Admin]

So I am spending 4 days at the end of the month in Utah. I am bringing my avy gear and splitboard and plan on mostly doing BC around there. I know there are a ton of spots to hit. I will be staying by Powder Mtn as a reference point. I am looking for areas that will give me multiple options based on the avy conditions. So areas with good tree runs, and some low angle stuff would be nice. Having the option to do steep open lines would be nice too. Access wise, a couple of miles in doesn't bother me, but easy access for quick laps is nice too. Hints, suggestions, what trails/passes/areas should I look at?

Thanks!

If he doesn't reply publicly (he doesn't seem to check in daily), PM user gwest.

Also, REI stocks numerous books/maps/aerial photos for the Wasatch backcountry. Perhaps they're available via mail order.

 

[Killclimbz]

^^^^ I saw a Utah Falcon guide. I work right by an REI, but unfortunately they were not carrying it. I'll probably order it online Friday so I can start thumbing through it and get ideas. It always helps to get a locals perspective on what areas I should check out. Seeing as I'll probably get four days, I don't really need to waste my time on some long skin for minimal vert. That will probably regulate me to some of the more popular areas, but that's okay since it will all be new to me.

 

[Admin]

There's a lot more than the Falcon guide. Give the SLC REI a call and see what you can scrounge up. Sorry, but I'd be of little use to you for local advice.

 

[yak]

I think Powder Mountain has some of the most easily accessed BC in the area. but - shhhhh - don't tell anyone!

We skied there 3 years ago, arriving on Jan 17 for a week. It hadn't snowed since Jan 1, and we found all kinds of untracked, both inbounds and BC. Mostly low angle stuff due to the age of the snowpack, but also some steeps. You can enjoy untracked snow days after a storm there, when AltaBird is tracked out by lunchtime.

Their "Powder Country" area behind the main peak (Hidden Lake Lodge) has nice steep shots down to the access road, and a school bus runs by every 15 minutes to bring you back up. You can also access the opposite side of the Powder Country canyon by hiking Lightning Ridge (or use the snowcat rope tow for $7 a pop), then climb James peak. From there either drop back into a bowl that leads you to Paradise chair, or drop off the back for really good steeps into the canyon.

You can go further OOB by heading skiers left (south, I believe) off the back of Hidden Lake. We did some sled-assisted touring out there and had a blast (until we had to leave one sled buried in a streambed for 3 days).

I'll be there for a week on Jan 21st. 8) 8) 8) 8)

remember - shhhhhh! http://www.powdermountain.net/

 

[gwest]

I dont know a whole lot about the area around there. I think you might be ok spending most of your time "in bounds", they have a TON of terrain up there. I'm not sure how much non private land there is to tour on around powder mountain. They have a great base up there (100"+), but im sure you know that. One spot i have been to up there that you might want to check out is the Ben Lomond peak area, one of the snowiest areas in the wasatch, there's some high and low angle terrain around there. Here's a link to a tour we did there last april, where we found over 12ft of snow on the ground at 8000ft! It's not dial up friendly, as the pics arent thumbnails, but shrunken full size pics.
http://www.met.utah.edu/jimsteen/gwest/blp4_26_05.html
If you have other questions, pm me.
Of course for ski forecast info, utahskiweather.com

edited to add: it'd probably be worth your time to look around the cottonwoods as well if you have the time and transportation. Again, pm me if you have questions.

 

[Admin]

One spot i have been to up there that you might want to check out is the Ben Lomond peak area, one of the snowiest areas in the wasatch, there's some high and low angle terrain around there. Here's a link to a tour we did there last april, where we found over 12ft of snow on the ground at 8000ft! It's not dial up friendly, as the pics arent thumbnails, but shrunken full size pics.
http://www.met.utah.edu/jimsteen/gwest/blp4_26_05.html

There are some gorgeous shots in there, gwest! I look at that part of the range every day while driving to and from the office, and I've always wondered what that terrain looks like from an up-close-and-personal vantage point. I'm particularly fond of these two:

I've got to get up there one day...

 

[Killclimbz]

This is the second time I have been refered to Ben Lomond Peak area. Looks really good. I am going to go to the trail hopefully early afternoon Friday the 21st and do some scouting. The pics look sweet. So looking forward to this trip!