X-Country Trails - North and HDNA Hut
The trails are located about 28 miles south of Hansen, Idaho, near Magic Mountain Ski Area. About 23 miles of trails are maintained, and about 10 miles are machine-groomed for classic style Nordic skiing. No fees are charged; trails are supported through HDNA membership. Trails are marked with signs, blue diamonds, poles with orange tops, or orange ribbons (usually with silver stripes).
Dogs are allowed, and their handlers need to be prepared to keep the trail clean for other users. Snowshoers should snowshoe to one side of the ski track. Please preserve the ski track! A snowshoe-specific trail is located just east of the lodge. A teaching/learning trail (1km) just north of the Lodge is groomed frequently. This short loop has very little elevation gain, with short, small hills (20’ or less) to ascend or descend.
Dogs are allowed, and their handlers need to be prepared to keep the trail clean for other users. Snowshoers should snowshoe to one side of the ski track. Please preserve the ski track! A snowshoe-specific trail is located just east of the lodge. A teaching/learning trail (1km) just north of the Lodge is groomed frequently. This short loop has very little elevation gain, with short, small hills (20’ or less) to ascend or descend.
The jpg map below can be downloaded onto a phone.
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Trail Information
1. Elk Basin Trail 1.5mi. This easy trail starts at the top of the Magic Mountain Ski Lift (nearly 7400ft elevation) and follows the east side of Deadline Ridge. The trail traverses at about the same elevation through aspen fir and pine stands with an occasional scenic vista of the Rock Creek Canyon. Cell service is possible midway along the route at N42o11.7077’ W114o17.6040’ The trail then merges with the FS 500 Road (N42o12.1890’ W114o17.815’) at about 7200ft elevation. To the left is the Rim View Cutoff Trail and in about ½ mile is the Rim View Trailhead Toilet. A right turn will follow the FS 500 Road back to ski area Lodge and Parking.
2. 500 Road (aka Rogerson Rd) 2.9mi This descent starts at N42o12.1890’ W114o17.815’ and takes the skier back to the Ski Area Base at an elevation of 6750ft. The route is mostly a gentle descent. The skier will pass the Thompson Creed Trailhead with access to the hut and several additional loops. Cell service is possible at N42o12.5858’ W114o17.6027’ near the cabins. The cabin owners have permission to use motorized over-snow vehicles on the uphill side, so stay to the downhill side of the road. If starting from the lower trailhead, please park along the side so that grooming equipment can get through.
3. Rock Creek Trail Loop (aka Long Loop) 3.0mi This trail starts near the base of the Chairlift at N42o11.2161’W114o7.1384’ and coincides with RC Short Loop. The first part of trail has 2-way traffic, so watch for downhill traffic. The route climbs steadily for about 400’ elevation. At about 1/4mi (N42o0.9132’ W114o17.2010’) the RC Loop return trail comes in from the left. About another ¼ mi is another junction for the short loop (N42o11.0411’ W114o17.1999’). The trail goes to the right climbing through pine and aspen to the Short Loop junction (N42o10.7139’ W114o17.3564’) again the trail goes to the right and climbs to the highest point as it emerges on an open ridge dividing the Rock Creek drainage and the Goose Creek watersheds. The trail descends down the ridge going to the left of a small stand of pines at about N42.175511o W114.283940o ; this locations also had cell service. The trail then proceeds in a sweeping right turn and enters the spines above Diamondfield Jack Parking and then down and through the Petit CG back to the trailhead.
Trail profile from junction to trailhead
4. Rock Creek Short Loop 1.2 mi. The trailhead is located near the base of the main Magic Mountain chairlift at the southern end of the parking area. This groomed trail is suitable for advanced beginners. The counterclockwise direction follows a roadway on a 400-foot climb through the trees to a junction with the long loop (about 1 mi; see above coordinates). From this point, the trail is through aspen and pines and all downhill on a 6-7% grade to the trailhead.
Trail profile for Short Loop
5. Elk Basin Cutoff 1.2 mi The tail leaves the main Elk Basin Trail about halfway. At the junction, the trial veers to the east with a steeper decent. The route descends through Aspens and open areas to the 500 Rd. at an average 13-14% grade. It is never groomed and advanced skills such as telemarking and route finding are required.
6. Penstemon Trail (1.8 mi) and Campground Loop Parking is available in the pullout just below the ski lodge. The trailhead is directly across the road and heads north into the Upper Penstemon Campground. A groomed route around the campground, about 1 mile round trip, has only 50ft total elevation gain and loss. It is a good trail for beginners to improve skills with gentle downhill and uphill segments. The longer trail starts at the far end of the campground and follows a bench above the Lower Campground and Rock Creek. It travels through mostly pines with slight climbs and descents. As the trail enters Aspen and open, it turns to the west and climbs about 100 ft elevation on a 3-4% grade to junction with the 500 Rd. Skiers may descend the 500 Rd. for a 3.2 mile loop or continue on up the road.
7. Deadline Rail 1.1 mi The trail starts at the top of the chair lift going north along an old road. This trail is never groom and backcountry and route finding skills are needed, but its elevation changes are very minimal. About halfway it will junction with the Elk Basin Trail then proceeds NW and finally enters the basin and joining the Elk Basin Trail.
8. Rim View Cutoff 1.1 mi
This trail is never groomed and requires route finding and advanced skiing skills. The trail starts at the junction of the Elk Basin Trail and the 500 Rd. (N42o12.1890’ W114o17.815’) and provides access to the HDNA Backcountry Hut and the more remote north trails. The route crosses the 500 Rd. then works its way through pines to the Rim View trail Toilet. An alternative route follows turns left on the 500 Rd. and follows the road to the Rim View Trail Toilet. Then the route travels downhill with a significant grade to merge with the Thompson Creek Trail.
9. Thompson Creek 1.2 mi
The trail starts by going to the N off the 500 Rd (N42.210914o W114.295153o) and is the access route to the HDNA Backcountry Hut. The trail is not groomed, but is well marked and often ski packed. The route follows along a bench above Rock Creek and Ross Falls until it reaches a basin at the headwaters of Thompson Cr. and the Hut (N42.221032o W114.296702o).
10. Thompson Loop 1.0 mi
The trail is never groomed and has moderate ascent and descent along a forest road through mostly pines. Breaking trail and more advance skills are required. From the Backcountry Hut, the route goes N toward the beaver ponds then W. The Loop follows a forest road back toward the Hut.
11. Rim View Trail 1.9 mi
This trail is a loop route starting from a junction on the Thompson Loop and contours around a ridge north of the beaver ponds. Because of its minimal trail marking and remoteness, advanced skills are needed. It offers and spectacular views of the Rock Cr. canyon. The trail is one of the routes for those staying in the Hut. There are other routes and open terrain along Buckskin Ridge to Grandview Peak with a scenic vista of t
he Magic Valley.
12. Pike Springs Loop 1.6 mi
The trail is not groomed, but often ski tracked. The elevation change is only about 100ft and the route is friendly advance beginner/ intermediate skills. The loop can be skied in either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Access can be from the north end of the East Diamondfield Jack parking area, or using the connector trail from the Lodge, or crossing the road from the Rock Cr. Trail at the FS sign. The trail winds through pines and most notable are some very large old Aspen.
13. Magic-Wahlstrom 1.8mi
The trail requires advanced skills and good route finding skills. The route provides a connection from the Magic Mt. Lodge to the Wahlstrom Trail system. The trail starts at the south end of the Magic Mt. parking and switchbacks up Pike Mt. for about 200ft elevation. The route then turns north and does a climbing traverse for another 400ft elevation gain. It joins the Wahlstrom Trail at 7200ft elevation in the saddle on the north side of Pike Mt.
14. Wahlstrom Hollow Loop 4.2 mi
Limited parking is available on the west side of Rock Cr. Road about a mile north of the Magic Mt. Ski Area. The trail is not groomed, has long steep climbs, and requires advanced skiing skills. It does provide access to numerous open telemark slopes and a backcountry experience. The trail starts on the east side of the road and is designed to be skied in the counter-clockwise direction. The route follows a gulch east starting a 600ft vertical climb in ¾ mile and merging with the Magic-Wahstrom trail. It then turns north and goes over the ridge and descends through timber into the hollow. At the junction with the road the route turns sharply left onto the road and climbs out of the the hollow, then has a long descent through open slopes to the trailhead.
15. Wahlstrom North 2.7 mi
This trail is a possible extension of the Wahlstrom Loop making a loop further down into Wahlstrom Hollow. From the junction of the Wahlstrom Rd. and the Wahlstrom Loop, proceed easterly about ¼ mile where a trail goes north leaving the road. The route descends through Aspen until it reaches willows and beaver ponds. The trail then turns south and starts the climb out of the hollow following a primitive road. At N42.212332o W114.269387o the trail merges with the Wahlstrom Loop trail climbing to the ridge.
Magic Mountain Snowshoe Trail
This trail, especially designed for snowshoers, is accessed from the west side of the Magic Mountain Lodge. The trail heads north, parallel to Rock Creek Road, climbs to a ridge, then follows the ridgeline east and south back to the Lodge. The loop is about 1 mile in length.
1. Elk Basin Trail 1.5mi. This easy trail starts at the top of the Magic Mountain Ski Lift (nearly 7400ft elevation) and follows the east side of Deadline Ridge. The trail traverses at about the same elevation through aspen fir and pine stands with an occasional scenic vista of the Rock Creek Canyon. Cell service is possible midway along the route at N42o11.7077’ W114o17.6040’ The trail then merges with the FS 500 Road (N42o12.1890’ W114o17.815’) at about 7200ft elevation. To the left is the Rim View Cutoff Trail and in about ½ mile is the Rim View Trailhead Toilet. A right turn will follow the FS 500 Road back to ski area Lodge and Parking.
2. 500 Road (aka Rogerson Rd) 2.9mi This descent starts at N42o12.1890’ W114o17.815’ and takes the skier back to the Ski Area Base at an elevation of 6750ft. The route is mostly a gentle descent. The skier will pass the Thompson Creed Trailhead with access to the hut and several additional loops. Cell service is possible at N42o12.5858’ W114o17.6027’ near the cabins. The cabin owners have permission to use motorized over-snow vehicles on the uphill side, so stay to the downhill side of the road. If starting from the lower trailhead, please park along the side so that grooming equipment can get through.
3. Rock Creek Trail Loop (aka Long Loop) 3.0mi This trail starts near the base of the Chairlift at N42o11.2161’W114o7.1384’ and coincides with RC Short Loop. The first part of trail has 2-way traffic, so watch for downhill traffic. The route climbs steadily for about 400’ elevation. At about 1/4mi (N42o0.9132’ W114o17.2010’) the RC Loop return trail comes in from the left. About another ¼ mi is another junction for the short loop (N42o11.0411’ W114o17.1999’). The trail goes to the right climbing through pine and aspen to the Short Loop junction (N42o10.7139’ W114o17.3564’) again the trail goes to the right and climbs to the highest point as it emerges on an open ridge dividing the Rock Creek drainage and the Goose Creek watersheds. The trail descends down the ridge going to the left of a small stand of pines at about N42.175511o W114.283940o ; this locations also had cell service. The trail then proceeds in a sweeping right turn and enters the spines above Diamondfield Jack Parking and then down and through the Petit CG back to the trailhead.
Trail profile from junction to trailhead
4. Rock Creek Short Loop 1.2 mi. The trailhead is located near the base of the main Magic Mountain chairlift at the southern end of the parking area. This groomed trail is suitable for advanced beginners. The counterclockwise direction follows a roadway on a 400-foot climb through the trees to a junction with the long loop (about 1 mi; see above coordinates). From this point, the trail is through aspen and pines and all downhill on a 6-7% grade to the trailhead.
Trail profile for Short Loop
5. Elk Basin Cutoff 1.2 mi The tail leaves the main Elk Basin Trail about halfway. At the junction, the trial veers to the east with a steeper decent. The route descends through Aspens and open areas to the 500 Rd. at an average 13-14% grade. It is never groomed and advanced skills such as telemarking and route finding are required.
6. Penstemon Trail (1.8 mi) and Campground Loop Parking is available in the pullout just below the ski lodge. The trailhead is directly across the road and heads north into the Upper Penstemon Campground. A groomed route around the campground, about 1 mile round trip, has only 50ft total elevation gain and loss. It is a good trail for beginners to improve skills with gentle downhill and uphill segments. The longer trail starts at the far end of the campground and follows a bench above the Lower Campground and Rock Creek. It travels through mostly pines with slight climbs and descents. As the trail enters Aspen and open, it turns to the west and climbs about 100 ft elevation on a 3-4% grade to junction with the 500 Rd. Skiers may descend the 500 Rd. for a 3.2 mile loop or continue on up the road.
7. Deadline Rail 1.1 mi The trail starts at the top of the chair lift going north along an old road. This trail is never groom and backcountry and route finding skills are needed, but its elevation changes are very minimal. About halfway it will junction with the Elk Basin Trail then proceeds NW and finally enters the basin and joining the Elk Basin Trail.
8. Rim View Cutoff 1.1 mi
This trail is never groomed and requires route finding and advanced skiing skills. The trail starts at the junction of the Elk Basin Trail and the 500 Rd. (N42o12.1890’ W114o17.815’) and provides access to the HDNA Backcountry Hut and the more remote north trails. The route crosses the 500 Rd. then works its way through pines to the Rim View trail Toilet. An alternative route follows turns left on the 500 Rd. and follows the road to the Rim View Trail Toilet. Then the route travels downhill with a significant grade to merge with the Thompson Creek Trail.
9. Thompson Creek 1.2 mi
The trail starts by going to the N off the 500 Rd (N42.210914o W114.295153o) and is the access route to the HDNA Backcountry Hut. The trail is not groomed, but is well marked and often ski packed. The route follows along a bench above Rock Creek and Ross Falls until it reaches a basin at the headwaters of Thompson Cr. and the Hut (N42.221032o W114.296702o).
10. Thompson Loop 1.0 mi
The trail is never groomed and has moderate ascent and descent along a forest road through mostly pines. Breaking trail and more advance skills are required. From the Backcountry Hut, the route goes N toward the beaver ponds then W. The Loop follows a forest road back toward the Hut.
11. Rim View Trail 1.9 mi
This trail is a loop route starting from a junction on the Thompson Loop and contours around a ridge north of the beaver ponds. Because of its minimal trail marking and remoteness, advanced skills are needed. It offers and spectacular views of the Rock Cr. canyon. The trail is one of the routes for those staying in the Hut. There are other routes and open terrain along Buckskin Ridge to Grandview Peak with a scenic vista of t
he Magic Valley.
12. Pike Springs Loop 1.6 mi
The trail is not groomed, but often ski tracked. The elevation change is only about 100ft and the route is friendly advance beginner/ intermediate skills. The loop can be skied in either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Access can be from the north end of the East Diamondfield Jack parking area, or using the connector trail from the Lodge, or crossing the road from the Rock Cr. Trail at the FS sign. The trail winds through pines and most notable are some very large old Aspen.
13. Magic-Wahlstrom 1.8mi
The trail requires advanced skills and good route finding skills. The route provides a connection from the Magic Mt. Lodge to the Wahlstrom Trail system. The trail starts at the south end of the Magic Mt. parking and switchbacks up Pike Mt. for about 200ft elevation. The route then turns north and does a climbing traverse for another 400ft elevation gain. It joins the Wahlstrom Trail at 7200ft elevation in the saddle on the north side of Pike Mt.
14. Wahlstrom Hollow Loop 4.2 mi
Limited parking is available on the west side of Rock Cr. Road about a mile north of the Magic Mt. Ski Area. The trail is not groomed, has long steep climbs, and requires advanced skiing skills. It does provide access to numerous open telemark slopes and a backcountry experience. The trail starts on the east side of the road and is designed to be skied in the counter-clockwise direction. The route follows a gulch east starting a 600ft vertical climb in ¾ mile and merging with the Magic-Wahstrom trail. It then turns north and goes over the ridge and descends through timber into the hollow. At the junction with the road the route turns sharply left onto the road and climbs out of the the hollow, then has a long descent through open slopes to the trailhead.
15. Wahlstrom North 2.7 mi
This trail is a possible extension of the Wahlstrom Loop making a loop further down into Wahlstrom Hollow. From the junction of the Wahlstrom Rd. and the Wahlstrom Loop, proceed easterly about ¼ mile where a trail goes north leaving the road. The route descends through Aspen until it reaches willows and beaver ponds. The trail then turns south and starts the climb out of the hollow following a primitive road. At N42.212332o W114.269387o the trail merges with the Wahlstrom Loop trail climbing to the ridge.
Magic Mountain Snowshoe Trail
This trail, especially designed for snowshoers, is accessed from the west side of the Magic Mountain Lodge. The trail heads north, parallel to Rock Creek Road, climbs to a ridge, then follows the ridgeline east and south back to the Lodge. The loop is about 1 mile in length.
The following PDF is designed to fit on an 8"x11"sheet of paper. Copy the map on one side and the trail description on the other side to take along skiing.
| south_hills_xc_ski_trails_6jan2023c[629].docx |
TRAILS AROUND MAGIC MT LODGE
Snowshoe Trail & Beginners Loop
Snowshoe Trail & Beginners Loop
Dennis Kincaid
Hey HDNA members: I have reGPSed all of the ski trails in the south hills and created a set of gps routes for the trails. These routes correspond roughly to the trails described on the website. You can view them with GPXviewer. I have attached them all since they are small files. They should work with any gps unit but are especially useful for those who use a cellphone with a topo map app such as GAIAGPS or US TOPO MAPS (for android).
You should pre download and cache the topo maps for the south hills area. In the field with your phone in airplane mode, display one or more of the routes on the screen as you travel and follow your position, or follow a route. I suggest downloading one of the attached routes and then import it into your app and try it.
If you have questions, email. admin@skihdna.org
Enjoy,
NOTE: The Website Host does not recognize ".gpx" files. If you are interested in using these trail files, send us an email to admin@skihdna.org and we will forward them to you.
Hey HDNA members: I have reGPSed all of the ski trails in the south hills and created a set of gps routes for the trails. These routes correspond roughly to the trails described on the website. You can view them with GPXviewer. I have attached them all since they are small files. They should work with any gps unit but are especially useful for those who use a cellphone with a topo map app such as GAIAGPS or US TOPO MAPS (for android).
You should pre download and cache the topo maps for the south hills area. In the field with your phone in airplane mode, display one or more of the routes on the screen as you travel and follow your position, or follow a route. I suggest downloading one of the attached routes and then import it into your app and try it.
If you have questions, email. admin@skihdna.org
Enjoy,
NOTE: The Website Host does not recognize ".gpx" files. If you are interested in using these trail files, send us an email to admin@skihdna.org and we will forward them to you.
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