ANDERSON RIDGE SKI TRAIL

Difficulty:
Easy intermediate

Length:
8 miles (14 km) round trip

Starting Elevation:
7350 feet

Cumulative Elevation Change:
+1150 feet, -1150 feet round trip

Navigation:
Road and marked trail

Time:
Most of a day

Season:
December through mid-April

USGS Topo:
7.5' series: Tragedy Springs, Bear River Reservoir, Peddler Hill

Start:
Iron Mountain Sno-Park, 0.4 mile west of Highway 88 on Mormon Emigrant Trail. Mormon Emigrant Trail is located 7.4 miles northeast of the Bear River Reservoir turnoff, 4.9 miles northeast of Peddler Hill Maintenance Station, and 7.0 miles west of Silver Lake.

The two-mile section of this tour along Anderson Ridge is predominantly rolling terrain that offers a great sense of "being away-from-it-all," although it is never more than two-tenths mile from a road. The proximity to a road affords a sense of security to those new to striking-out on their own. More experienced skiers will also enjoy this tour, which is chock full of gentle terrain.

This tour starts at Iron Mountain Sno-Park, which is heavily used by snowmobilers for access to the Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail. However, an agreement has been made between the Forest Service and the local snowmobile clubs whereby the clubs are promoting the Anderson Ridge Ski Trail as a ski-only route. Although there is no legal closure of the trail to snowmobiles, Snowlands is hopeful that most snowmobilers will honor the closure. Therefore, only on the first and last short sections along snow-covered Mormon Emigrant Trail should you expect to find snowmobile use.

Miles 0.0 - 0.7
Elevation change +150/-100 feet

From the trailhead (1) ski west on snow-covered Mormon Emigrant Trail (a major snow-covered road) for 0.7 mile until you reach the junction where Anderson Ridge Road leaves the Mormon Emigrant Trail (2) to the south (left). This junction may not be obvious; keep your eyes open for blue diamonds on the south side of the road.

The Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail may start out parallel to Mormon Emigrant Trail, then rejoin it, and finally may continue along Mormon Emigrant Trail or branch off the main road to the south and climb unto Plummer Ridge. If it branches off the main road, look for Anderson Ridge Road to the south close to the point where the snowmobile trail leaves the main road.

In this first section, early and late in the winter season, some people drive their four-wheel drive vehicles on the road and leave ruts behind. Don't be discouraged.

Miles 0.7 - 1.1
Elevation change -150 feet

Leave Mormon Emigrant Trail and ski south (left) along Anderson Ridge Road for 0.4 mile until you reach the location where the road makes a distinct turn to the right (3). Although the turn is distinct, if you are traveling fast and/or not paying attention you may not notice it.

Miles 1.1 - 1.5
Elevation change -50 feet

Continue on Anderson Ridge Road for 0.4 mile until you reach an wide area in the road and road junction (4). The lesser road that leaves Anderson Ridge Road to the northwest (right) is small and difficult to see. Don't be surprised if you don't see it.

Miles 1.5 - 1.8
Elevation change nil

Continue on Anderson Ridge Road (straight) for 0.3 mile until you reach the blue signs in a tree that identify the location where the route along Anderson Road and Anderson Ridge split (5). In this section you will pass through a second wide area in the road. The junction is just before the route starts to climb for the first time since leaving the Emigrant Trail.

At this point you must make a decision either to continue on the road and return on the ridge or vice versa. The route described here first follows the ridge and returns along the road. In doing so the steepest section is uphill and the only significant downhill is in a relatively open area.

Miles 1.8 - 2.1
Elevation change +200 feet

Leave Anderson Road to the east (left) and follow the blue diamonds until you reach the ridge top (6). Keep your eyes open for turns in the marked trail and in the open area that ascends to the ridge top (look for the markers far ahead). This point is the eastern junction of the Anderson Ridge and Consumnes Loop Trail. Look for the directional sign on a tree. The Consumnes Loop Trail turns east (left) and descends, but our route continues straight ahead towards the southwest down the ridge top.

Miles 2.1 - 3.5
Elevation change +200 feet, -300 feet

Ski southwest along the ridge for 1.4 miles until you reach the southwest end of the ridge (7).

Miles 3.5 - 3.8
Elevation change -250 feet

Gradually loop to the west and north (right) for 0.3 mile as you descend from the ridge until you intersect Anderson Ridge Road (8). Near the beginning of this section, you may encounter the Consumnes Loop Trail., which turns left (south) at a signed junction. Do not follow the blue diamonds for that trail, but stay on the ridge top until it begins to broaden. The Anderson Ridge descent is marked, and where you intersect the road you encounter blue signs that identify the location where the route along Anderson Road and Anderson Ridge come together.

In the off chance that you get off the marked trail and intersect a relatively wide road that is likely to be groomed, you have failed to "loop to the west and north" and instead have intersected Foster Meadow Road, which is part of the Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail.

Miles 3.8 - 5.8
Elevation change +300 feet, -150 feet

Turn northeast (right) onto Anderson Ridge Road and follow it for 2.0 miles until you reach the signs and junction where you previously left the road (5).

Miles 5.8 - 6.9
Elevation change +200 feet

Retrace the route along Anderson Ridge Road to the north for 1.1 miles until you reach Mormon Emigrant Trail (2).

Miles 6.9 - 7.6
Elevation change +100 feet, -150 feet

Turn east (right) onto Mormon Emigrant Road and follow it for 0.7 mile until you reach the trailhead (1).