Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing
Just west of Sundance over the saddle on the Alpine Loop Road is
American Fork Canyon, home to several backcountry starting points. The
canyon is reached via Exit 284 off I-15 and through the town of Alpine
on State Road 92, or through Provo Canyon and past Sundance Resort via
the Alpine Loop Road. Winter access is limited. Cross-country skiers
have all-day access to miles of climbing via the American Fork
Canyon/Alpine Loop road, most of which is unplowed and closed to
vehicles during winter months.
Cross Country Skiing
Backcountry hounds can ski
everything from easy to expert starting at one of three trail heads in
the canyon. Mutual Dell, Timpooneke Campground, and Aspen Grove provide
access to thirteen routes down both sides of the mountain. Access
Mutual Dell and Timpooneke trail heads through Alpine, and the Aspen
Grove parking lot from the Sundance side. Aspen Grove provides access
to an alpine lake and the Wasatch Front’s only true glacier field.
Timpooneke Campground is the most-visited trail head for telemark
skiers and boarders alike, and the closed road is a favorite for
cross-country skiers. For Wolly Hole and north summit runs, use Mutual
Dell, located a few miles down canyon from Timpooneke. The crown jewel
of Mt. Timp backcountry adventure is the west summit, with run options
dropping 3,000 to 5,000 vertical feet into Dry Canyon and the valley
benches below.
Snowmobiling in Provo Canyon
Just north of Timpanogos, the Box Elder Peak
area is accessed through Dry Creek is the more popular of the two
because of its quicker access to the north and west-facing runs. The
northwest cirque is the favorite route, providing a drop of nearly
3,000 feet through two bowls and parallel chutes. Box Elder Peak’s twin
sister is an unnamed peak immediately to the south and is rarely
visited. In favorable conditions, access it via the southwest slope of
Box Elder Peak, and hit the northeast chute.
Back in Provo
Canyon, access the South Fork Provo River area through Vivian Park, 1
mile west of the Sundance road. While the lower trail ascents are
skiable on a cross-country setup, the higher areas can be a bastion of
avalanche danger and it pays to be conservative on these peaks. The Big
Springs area provides some relatively safe ascents to excellent skiing
and boarding. Remember that one’s luck increases on a linear plane with
one’s preparation for the journey, and for assessing risk with a
critical eye.
Further south, mighty Mt. Nebo looms in the
distance, beckoning from the highest point along the Wasatch Front.
Travel south on I-15 to the town of Mona, and the Pole Road trail head
to access the 13-plus runs on this long mountain. Avalanche danger runs
higher than usual on Nebo, so the only remotely safe time to be on
there is during low avalanche danger conditions.