Mill Creek Ski Trail - Winter: Gate to Elbow Fork

After the Millcreek Canyon road closes the gate 5 miles up canyon, the road above becomes a rather popular snowshoe/cross country ski trail. Well, once there is enough snow anyway. I was in the mood for something a little easier to do today, and with avalanche conditions a little higher today, I thought I’d come check out this winter wonderland. It’s really quite pretty, and peaceful. However, even on a Friday it was quite a busy area! Of course it is winter break so maybe not always so busy on a weekday.

Quick Details:

Length: It is almost exactly 1.5 miles to elbow fork for a good 3 mile round trip. Or the ski trail keeps going for another 3 miles (one way) or you can add any additional trail.
Difficulty: DR3. It’s an unplowed road so wide, flat and gentle climb.
Elevation Gain: We did about 660 ft, but the full ski trail is 1240 ft.
Restroom: The pit toilette at Elbow Fork was open, so I imagine others would be too.
Dogs? Yes! Same trail rules apply. Leashed on even days, off leash on odd days.
Other Info: Fee Area: $3.00 per car, paid upon leaving the canyon.

To Get Here:

Drive about 5 miles up Mill Creek Canyon to the closed gate next to Maple Grove Picnic Area. Park here. There are 2 additional overflow parking lots a little ways down canyon. No road parking. Walk around the gate and follow the road uphill.

Heading up Mill Creek Canyon (PSP).

The very full parking lot. We were luck to claim a recently vacated spot.

The Trail:

The gate. Go around and enjoy the adventure.

Some of the info signs. I was a little worried as a hiker I wasn’t welcome here, but this last sign helped alleviate that. That and eventually we saw that we weren’t the only ones doing that today.

Honestly the entire road appears to be ski tracks. But we generally just stayed near the shoulder. This not only left the middle to be prime ski tracks, but also generally keep us out of the downhill skiers way.

So pretty up here after the recent snow storms.

I love snow covered pine forests!

It’s been almost 2 years since we did City Creek Canyon in the winter, so it’s hard to compare but I think I like this one better.

The creek.

So quiet and peaceful.

The trailhead was busy enough I was a little worried about todays choice, but aside from the random skier zooming down it was really quiet.

Snowy trees.

Peaks above.

Snowy trees.

Sunlight up above. It seemed like we were chasing the sunlight and just never caught it today. But, That is the nature of deep canyons, this time of year, this late in the day.

Pretty forest.

The creek again.

This is why we keep hiking in winter!

More snowy trees.

The creek again.

Neat rock formations above.

Sunlight and shadows.

Hitting some small cascades.

Pretty forest.

Fun ice formations in the creek.

The amount of people who can’t follow a simple rule boggles my mind. It’s an even day, dogs are asked to be leashed today. Seriously, there was a great compromise in this canyon allowing off leash every other day. Some people just don’t care and don’t realize their blatant disregard for the rules could result in dogs being banned entirely. Not to mention ruining the expectation of others. Some dogs don’t want to meet other dogs, no matter how friendly they might be. There is often, a good reason someone might prefer to keep their dog on leash, and go somewhere that all other dogs should be on leash. Sigh. Alright, end rant.

Sunlight!

Fun ice formations.

Neat little cascade.

More sunlight.

Another fun cascade.

I love these skirt looking formations.

This might be the shot of the day. Loving the snow covered pines!

More pretty trees.

Aww, a little trail side Christmas Tree. I generally don’t mind these and appreciate the random cheer, but just so long as whoever does it comes back and cleans it all up. I know some people think it’s littering, and I agree if it is just left, but come on, enjoy some Christmas cheer. The best trailside tree is the Ogden BST Christmas Tree.

Looking back down.

Nearing Elbow Fork. We have actually done this segment of the road in the Summer when we decided to come down after doing the Terraces Trail.

Little waterfall here.

Looking further up canyon.

We decided either 1.5 miles up, or Elbow Fork would be our end point today, unless we felt like continuing up. And well, Elbow Fork is almost exactly 1.5 miles up, so that kind of worked out.

On a whim I decided to check and see if the pit toilet here was open by chance, and it was! That was a bit of a surprise considering well, winter, and the whole government shutdown right now.

Another view up canyon.

Additional trail options here, or you can keep following the ski trail/road.

Looking up the Mount Aire Trail. Looks pretty, might have to check that one out some day.

Looking down canyon.

Elbow Fork seems like a popular turn around spot as we noticed 2 other couple do the same thing while we were dinking around up here.

The creek again.

Alright, time to start heading back.

Absolutely beautiful.

More fun ice.

Mountains.

Little mushroom looking islands.

More snowy pines.

Snow covered log.

Up the hill.

The trail again.

More snowy trees.

The creek again.

It looks like there might be a trail up there but I can’t find it on the map. Looks like this is the Maple Cove Picnic Area. Looks to be about half way.

The trail again.

Neat pyramid shaped peak.

White Bridge. You can’t really see it with the snow.

The creek again.

Trail.

Downhill skier. Like I said they usually zip past and are gone almost as soon as you notice them. If you stay to the side you shouldn’t have an issue.

Random lock box caught my attention. At first I thought it was a trail camera but its actually a trail counter. The data it collects helps support winter trails. I should have walked in front of it a few more times. Kidding, kidding, data is important. Plus, I think this trail is popular enough that they have plenty of data.

The creek again.

Nearing the gate.

Slower section of the creek has some ice on it.

Neat rocky ridge.

Back to the, slightly less packed parking lot.

One final image of the mouth of the canyon (PSP).

That trail was just what I wanted. A lovely, easy walk in a snowy forest. I think I would have been happier if I had worn snowshoes today. Wasn’t post-holing, but was sinking just enough to make it kind of tougher. If I ever do this trail again, I am going to find me some skis. I think it would be great to ski down, and would be a better reward for the work. The trailhead was crazy when we arrived but once we were on the trail it was pretty peaceful and quiet. Certainly not a favorite, but a good relaxing option. Going with 7 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, I think this could depend on a couple different things, and with the gear you have. But, today it was pretty easy going. DR3.

Dogs are allowed. Leashed on easy days, off-leash on odd days. Set a good example and follow the rules.