Suggested Trailheads (numbered in red): 1. Rattlesnake. Along the "Big Curve" in Wellsville Canyon (Hwy 89-91), about 1 mile north of Sherwood Hills Resort. If you're coming from SLC/Ogden, you'll have to drive past the median barrier, make a U-turn and double back to the trailhead parking area on the north side of the road. Parking is usually adequate. Head north-northwest up Rattlesnake Canyon and you'll come out on the top of Pine Canyon. Best to leave one car at the Pine Canyon trailhead and ski down to it.
2. Pine Canyon. Turn west off from Wellsville's Center Street (St. Hwy 23) on the road next to the new Middle School on the north end of town. The land owner lives in last house on the left. Stop and ask permission, they may even open the gate for you so you can drive up Pine Canyon a ways. Great access to Box Elder Peak.
3. Maple Rise. Half way between Wellsville and Mendon along State Hwy 23, look for about the only dirt road heading west (Hint: It's on top of a hill). After about a mile, you'll come to a large, imposing gate with "No Trespassing" signs on it. An LDS church-owned campground lies further up the road, and the gate and signs are there to discourage vandalism that was so rampant there in the 80's. Parking is sparse, maybe room for 1 or 2 vehicles to be out of the way is all. Shumway Canyon makes its run between "the Hogsback" on the right, and a prominent ridge to the left. Close access to Wellsville Cone, although the approach is pretty formidable. Hope you like tree-skiing. Lots of brushy, thick, maple tree-skiing.
4. Cobblestone. On the south end of Mendon, 5900 W street leaves State Hwy 23 in a southerly direction. The Cobblestone community lies at the top, and along this road (Jason lives in the seventh one on the right, #2215). Travel to where the road crosses a deep ravine, and depending on snow conditions and how much faith you have in your vehicle, either park here or head west. Parking isn't too bad along the road, but respect the landowner's crops and don't spin out in his alfalfa. The road winds around through the ravine and eventually turns north. You'll see a cabin further to the west. Stop here and head south to the south-west corner of the field below the cabin, a faint trail sometimes marks the way. Go through the gate, and proceed up the (Coldwater) canyon. The "Hogsback" is on your left. You enter National Forest land at the second gate, or about 1/4 mile up the trail. This trail eventually joins the Stewart Pass Trail (summer) just south of Coldwater Lake. Or, you can leave the trail after about a mile at Hell Canyon, and bushwhack (there's a REASON the pioneers named it "Hell Canyon") up Hell Canyon a short distance to the Coldwater Lake/Stewart Pass (summer) trailhead. Either route can get you to the ridge and some great skiing.
5. National Forest Road (Coldwater Lake). Proceed up Cobblestone Road (5900W) as mentioned above, except take the first right (about 100 yards from State Hwy 23). The road winds its way west, then south, then west again. Depending on snow conditions and the condition of your vehicle, you may make it 30 feet or several miles. In any case, be careful where you park, make sure others can pass by. After crossing the first cattle guard, you'll be on Nat'l Forest land. Upon arriving at the second cattle guard, a large meadow unfolds and a lone maple tree stands to one side, fenced off for it's own good. By proceeding directly West from this point, everything from Hell Canyon to Gibson Canyon can be skied. Following the road South will take you to the road's terminus and the Coldwater Lake/Stewart Pass (summer) trailhead. From here one can mount offensives on Shumway Canyon/Wellsville Cone.
6. Deep Canyon. Proceed west on 3rd North in Mendon. Go until your tires don't have anymore grip, or you get to a small parking lot at the Deep Canyon trailhead. People actually live up there, so don't block the road. Proceed up Deep Canyon in a south-westerly direction. It's a long (6 miles?), but gradual ascent to a saddle overlooking Box Elder County. From here you can either ski the ravines to the right or proceed to the left and summit the ridge near Mendon Peak. It's recommended however, you ski the face, presumably having left a car along the National Forest Road. Returning via Deep Canyon on skis can be interesting to say the least, especially after the sun sets (2:30 p.m.) and the trail gets icy. The Backside 
The WMSP has yet to ski the backside (west faces) of the Wellsville range. With the exception of a few tempting runs off the north-west face of the Wellsville Cone (shown above in photo), the backside is mainly a rocky, wind swept place devoid of snow most of the year. |
