CONSUMNES LOOP SKI TRAIL

Difficulty:
Easy intermediate

Length:
8 miles (14 km) round trip

Starting Elevation:
7350 feet

Cumulative Elevation Change:
+1200 feet, -1200 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.

This tour is an alternate to the Anderson Ridge Tour and takes one to the east side of Anderson Ridge. The tour coincides with the Anderson Ridge tour for much of its length, but affords an alternate method of returning to the beginning of Anderson Ridge other than skiing Anderson Road.

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.

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 and the east junction of the Anderson Ridge Trail and the Consumnes Loop Trail (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).

At this point you must decide whether to ski the Consumnes Loop Trail in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. There is one steep section on the route. Skiers able to control their speed on steep downhills may turn left onto the Consumnes Loop Trail at this point and take the clockwise direction, negotiating the steep section downhill. Novice skiers may want to continue on the Anderson Ridge Trail and climb the steep section uphill. The route description below follows this latter choice.

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 - 3.6
Elevation change -50 feet

Descend the ridge to the signed junction with the Consumnes Loop Trail (8).

Miles 3.6 - 3.9
Elevation change -170 feet

The Anderson Ridge Trail continues straight, down the ridge to the west. To ski the Consumnes Loop Trail, turn east (left) and contour under the ridge for about 01. miles, then ski straight down the slope south for 0.2 miles to a road (10).

Miles 3.9 - 4.9
Elevation change -50 feet

Turn east (left) on the road and ski for 1.0 miles to a road junction (11).

Miles 4.9 - 5.4
Elevation change +190 feet

Turn east (left) on this road and ski for 0.5 miles in a gradual ascent to where the road makes a sharp right turn (12). Straight ahead on the north side (left) of the road you will see a steep slope ascending to the north.

Miles 5.4 - 5.8
Elevation change +180 feet

Begin by climbing the steep slope. After 0.1 miles, the angle lessens. Continue a more gradual ascent, first to the north, then to the northwest as you climb towards the top of the ridge at the junction with Anderson Ridge Trail (6).

Miles 5.8 - 6.1
Elevation change -180 feet

Turn north (right) and retrace the route along Anderson Ridge Trail, descending the moderate slope north to the place where you previously left the road (5).

Miles 6.1 - 7.2
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 7.2 - 7.9
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).