Guardsman’s Pass offers a few opportunities for snow-based entertainment. When the flakes first start flying in the early fall, many snow-deprived die-hards flock to the summit to session the hidden tree jibs and rails of the forest.
The road closes by gate later in the fall because of snow buildup, but by that time, there will be other and better places to hit. Just below the seasonal gate, the Wasatch Crest Trail is a popular mountain bike trail that morphs into a backcountry destination once it is no longer rideable.
This is definitely a lung-intensive trek. There is a two-mile climb before you reach the ridge that is dubbed “puke hill” by many cyclists. This is the major climb, and then it is mostly flat or downward sloping across the ridge until you decide to drop.
Now the beauty of this trail is that you can make it as long or as short as you want. Many skiers skin for awhile, then shred down one of the many bowls back to state Road 190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It is a good idea to find someone to guide you, otherwise there might be a whole lot of work to make it back out.
The views from this trail are simply stunning on clear days, so don’t forget to take a camera. The trail can be connected all the way through to Millcreek, but this is a major backcountry experience, and caution is a must.
Don’t forget to check snow conditions at www.utahavalanchecenter.com. General access is easy, though. Guardsman’s Pass is at the top of state Road 190 on the road up from Brighton Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort. Just follow the signs.