Backcountry skiing Lake Desolation

Lake Desolation is surrounded by quality backcountry skiing, from south-facing open glades, to tree skiing on north and east aspects. The area draws all kinds of backcountry types – from weathered telemarkers out for a long tour, to modern twin-tippers barreling down from the Canyons ski resort next door. They all come to this tiny lake nestled in a box canyon deep in the Wasatch Mountains seeking powder that is well protected from wind and sun.

Skinning Across Lake Desolation. Skier: Eric Ghanem

The slopes around Lake Desolation, located in the area of Mill D North Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon, can either be hard or easy to get to, depending on where you’re coming from. If you have a pass to The Canyons in Park City, a descent into the Lake Desolation backcountry is as easy as riding the 9990 chairlift, then hiking a short distance to the top of the peak. From this point, many south-facing lines make their way to the lake and provide access to lots of quality tree skiing and open slopes.

Patterns of ski tracks on one of the many opens faces surrounding Lake Desolation.

But if you’re a backcountry-touring purist, then the only way to get to Lake Desolation is by skinning up either Beartrap Fork to the highest west ridge and skiing down, or by following the traditional summer route that winds along the bottom of Mill D North Fork. The latter ascent is a three-and-a-half mile haul that can take some parties most of the morning to reach the lake. But once there, quick yo-yo tours on short (but steep) slopes allow skiers to rack up some vertical all afternoon.

Eric Ghanem skins up his skis for another lap at Lake Desolation.

Assuming you approach Lake Desolation from this route, begin your day by parking at the Spruces Campground located almost 10 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. After gearing up, cross the road to the Mill D North Fork trailhead. Follow the trail through a neighborhood of summer cabins and into the main drainage. After a mile and a half, you will come to a fork at a sign nestled within an aspen grove. Take the right (east) fork and follow it to Lake Desolation.

As always, bring a beacon, probe, shovel and a buddy when venturing into the backcountry and go with a knowledge of avalanche safety. Check the Utah Avalanche Center’s daily report before heading out. Check out the GPS track below for an good look at a typical ski tour at Lake Desolation from Mill D North Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

GPS Track to Lake Desolation from the Spruces Campground

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Tags: backcountry, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Lake Desolation, Mill D North Fork, Outdoor, Skiing, snowboarding, trip report, Utah, Wasatch Mountains