Mineral Basin / AF Canyon

[skibumm]

So what's up with the new "no snowmobiling" signs right off the trail near the ski hill? They are set up right where you would go up from Mineral into Mary Ellen's. I haven't heard about any recent land grabbs in this area. Anyone know anything?

 

[Carp]

I thought snowbird got the ok to develop that area. I know that is what they wanted to do. I haven't been up there for a few years. If not it's probably got something to do with the heli skiing and someone putting up the sign to keep us out so they can have the area to themselves.

 

[snengineer]

Part of the pass area we use to access Mary Ellen's is owned by snowbird, not all. They are implementing the progressive shutdown of the area to get utah county to allow them to build into the backside of twin peaks. Hopefully That never happens, whether it's private or not that needs to remain backcountry.

Here is a map of the property ownership in the area, the white areas are privately owned (old mine claims owned by snowbird now) and the green is owned by Obama..I mean public land. The typical access route that is easiest in deep snow is in red and crossed snowbirds property near the groomed trail and boundary, but you can still access it with the blue route which is a little bit of a climb. dont let them give you crap. we need to be in the way of them developing the Wasatch back if at all possible. Civil disobedience is kind of in right now as far as being politically correct so keep that in mind if crap hits the fan on any of your encounters. Heaven for bid when they go closing off miller hill too!

 

[Asellars]

What I heard from some cat drivers was snowbird has been allowed to "conduct a study" back there. They have aw cat skiing going so they want to keep you out. I don't think they have any legal repercussion with the signs though.

 

[skibumm]

It is a little hard to tell, but I think the signs covered both blue and red areas. They are brand new, probably less than a week old based on the tracks around them and the fact that we didn't see them the week before.

Part of the pass area we use to access Mary Ellen's is owned by snowbird, not all. They are implementing the progressive shutdown of the area to get utah county to allow them to build into the backside of twin peaks. Hopefully That never happens, whether it's private or not that needs to remain backcountry.

Here is a map of the property ownership in the area, the white areas are privately owned (old mine claims owned by snowbird now) and the green is owned by Obama..I mean public land. The typical access route that is easiest in deep snow is in red and crossed snowbirds property near the groomed trail and boundary, but you can still access it with the blue route which is a little bit of a climb. dont let them give you crap. we need to be in the way of them developing the Wasatch back if at all possible. Civil disobedience is kind of in right now as far as being politically correct so keep that in mind if crap hits the fan on any of your encounters. Heaven for bid when they go closing off miller hill too!

 

[snengineer]

Well according the the ownership map here the signs are obviously not legally binding. Last year a guy in a multimillion dollar boxed cab snow cat stopped me and asked that I avoid riding on the access hillside cause they were cat skiing at that location. he didn't mind us passing through though in to Mary Ellens.

On another note does anyone know who owns the cabin lodged at the top of Major Evans gulch? it is an amazing spot, just wondered if anyone knew who's it is.

 

[Carp]

Is the cabin you are talking about a old cabin?

 

[goforbroke]

they can NOT close or stop us from riding on national forest land. Ride with a GPS. The tough thing is they can close down all their private land. I ride with a gps there now. Last time the ski guide stopped me and told me I was on private land and to please not ride there. I pulled out my gps and showed him I was on public land and I was going to keep riding there. Called ranger and he reassured me that they can not keep us from riding on public land, yet. he said they were trying to do land swap or lease but that it would be a few years.

 

[jaxrev]

I've got an xm and live in draper. Any of you all that are familiar with af canyon looking for another riding buddy... I'd love to tag along. I've got a 4 place and don't mind driving.

Off topic I know but seems like the closest place for ride from draper.

 

[snengineer]

Is the cabin you are talking about a old cabin?

No its a pretty new looking cabin. Its hard to miss if you've ever been in major evans gulch.

 

[Carp]

I haven't been up there for a few years. I remember some old cabin up at mary Ellen's area somewhere. It's old though.