Snowmobile Cedar Mountain

It's hard to imagine a more perfect winter playground that the Cedar Mountain area in southwestern Utah. It offers plenty of opportunity for downhill skiing, cross country skiing, and other activities. But, if you must know the truth, Cedar Mountain was created for snowmobilers.

Downhill enthusiasts enjoy Brian Head – a classic resort operating on two mountains, with six lifts, 500 skiable acres, 53 trails and a 1,320 foot vertical drop (1,707 vertical feet if you take the snow cat to the top of Brian Head Peak, which puts you at an elevation of 11,307 feet). The resort gets an average of 400 inches of snow a winter.

Cross country skiing is incredible all over the mountain, but perhaps the most enjoyable trails take you along the rim of Cedar Breaks National Monument, just down the road from Brian Head Resort. Brian Head has become a Mecca for mountain bikers in the summer, and the same trails that attract the bikers can be enjoyed by cross country skiers. Several maintained trails snake through the area, ranging from a relaxing cruise along the rim of the National Monument to strenuous herring bone ascents into the surreal Twisted Forest of Bristle Cone Pines. Roughly 45 kilometers of marked trails twist through the forests, past red-rock hoodoos and over gentle, rolling glades. Another 300 kilometers of routes tour through the Backcountry, and are detailed on a country maps available at the resort. Some of the more popular trails include the North Rim, which perches skiers above the multicolored cliffs and formations of Cedar Breaks, the Alpine Pond trail which provides a gentle glide through groves of fir trees, the Rattlesnake Rim, a favorite sunset tout, and Upper Bear Flat, an excellent trail for beginners.

For snowmobilers, there are 16 groomed trails that allow snowmobilers to enjoy the best of the attractions listed above and more. With miles and miles of unblemished Backcountry, there is no end adventure on the mountain. And it's getting better. Work is underway to map out, mark and groom a trail that will provide a loop from Duck Creek Village to Brian Head (via Cedar Breaks), down to Panguitch Lake and then back to Duck Creek. It will be one of the most scenic groomed loops in the country!

Snowmobiling is a fun sport no matter where you ride, but it becomes a thrilling adventure when you combine it with the scenery, meadows, forests, bowls and bumps on Cedar Mountain.

Utah's Division of Parks and Recreation publishes a series of maps showing groomed snowmobile trails throughout the state. Map #8, the Cedar Mountain/East Fork Snowmobile Complex, details this area. Pick one up at a Parks and Recreation office, Forest Service office, or one of the many snowmobile-oriented area businesses.

The photo at right shows Tropic Reservoir during the fall, with blue sky and blue water offset by green pine and pastel hillsides.

Yet snow piles deep around Tropic Reservoir, and it provides a great destination for snowmobile enthusiasts who want both scenery and ice fishing opportunities. The groomed East Fork snowmobile trail goes past the reservoir and continues up the mountain. Spurs take you to Ruby's Inn and Bryce Canyon, or side canyons and play areas on the Paunsaugunt Plateau – with wonderful views of the Bryce Canyon area.

Cedar Mountain, shown below, has become a popular snowmobile area, drawing riders from around the country and offers a variety of terrain to meet the desires of beginners as well as experienced and expert riders. The green meadows of summer turn it into a remarkable winter playground, with many groomed trails and plenty of backcountry. (Remember, backcountry snowmobilig can be dangerous – don't attempt to get off the groomed trails unless you know the territory and know what you are doing.)

There is also plenty of opportunity for cross country skiing in this area.

Ungroomed roadways and Backcountry are very enticing, but can be dangerous. Beginners should stay on groomed trails, or go with a guide.

We recommend the Strawberry Point Trail. This groomed trail winds down to a wonderful overlook, with views out across Kolob Terrace and into Zion Park.

Regardless of where you plan to snowmobile or ski, it's important to check to find the latest conditions before you head out. Utah Parks and Recreation provides updates on groomed trails; call (801) 538-7221. Check with the Forest Service before venturing into the Backcountry. You can reach the Cedar City Ranger District at (801) 865-3200.

Avalanches are a real danger in some Backcountry areas. Again, get information on the area before venturing out. Never go alone and make sure others know your destination and travel plans. Carry survival equipment with you. The best protection against avalanches is to avoid problem area. Stay away from open, steep slopes and steep-sided hills. Check the Utah Avalanche Center for current information on the latest snow conditions and avalanche danger.

Hypothermia is a great danger to snowmobilers and skiers. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can be produced, and can result in poor coordination and judgment, and then death. Proper winter clothing is the best defense against hypothermia. You are generally all right if you dressing in layers of warm clothing. It's important to wear a water-resistant outer shell, because wetness from rain or snow promotes the loss of body heat. However, condensed perspiration can also aggravate the problem. It's best to wear clothing that wicks perspiration away from the body – clothing that is breathable.

Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, memory lapses, drowsiness and uncoordination. If you or a companion begin to experience these symptoms, it is vital that you find or improvise a shelter immediately, getting away from wind, rain, snow and cold. Remove wet clothing. Dress the person in dry clothing if possible. Get the person into a dry sleeping bag, if one is available. Climb into the bag with the person, if possible, to add warmth. Give the person a warm drink, but no alcohol! If the person is conscious, give him food that provides quick energy. Get medical help as soon as possible.

Remember, the key is to stay warm and dry.

Utah law states that snowmobiles must be registered if they are operated or transported on public roads, trails or lands. People from out of state may operate snowmobiles on public lands for 14 days without being required to register them.

Registered and unregistered snowmobiles may be operated on private land with the owner’s permission.

Youths under age eight are not allowed to operate snowmobiles on public roads or lands. Those age 8 through 15 must possess an OHV education certificate marked specifically for snowmobile use. Such certificates are issued by Parks and Recreation to persons who complete an OHV education course and pass a snowmobile knowledge and skills test. For additional information about the course, call 1-800-OHVRIDE.

Properly fitting helmets should be worn while snowmobiling, and the law requires they be worn by operators and passengers under 18 years of age.

A common problem snowmobilers encounter is running out of fuel. Know the capacities of your machine. Make sure it is in good working order, and watch the fuel gage. Turn back before you have used half your fuel supply.