American Fork Canyon

During Winter the Granite Flat campground in American Fork Canyon is a cross country ski area. Granite Flat is located a few miles past Tibble Fork Reservoir on the road heading to Silver Lake. The Forest Service grooms the campground roads depending on snow conditions (not on a regular schedule). Traveling up American Fork Canyon take the Tibble Fork turnoff (left, just past the Little Mill campground) and continue on until you come to a large parking area north of Tibble Fork Reservoir.

From the parking lot, ski up the Silver Lake road 0.6 miles to reach the entrance to Granite Flat. The road is often rough due to snowmobile and 4wheeler traffic - take the alternate route up the tubing hill if you wish to bypass 0.2 miles of the road. There is also a trail connecting the bottom of the Spike loop to the main road (just west of the parking lot), but it is rough with one steep slope that is often easier to hike or snowshoe than ski. All of the tracks together total more than 3 miles of skiing. The grade is substantial from the Spike loop up to the entrance. The tracks have many turns and are often hilly.

The area is scenic and pleasant and gets much less foot traffic so the tracks are often in good condition. There are several open areas for off-track exploring. The trail heading up Deer Creek Canyon (just past the entrance) is a good backcoutry or rugged touring route. All of the campground facilities are closed (no restrooms or water). There is a $3 entrance fee to the canyon ($25 for a year pass).

The ski track follows the Little Mill campground road located in American Fork Canyon. Little Mill is on the right side of the road 1.5 miles past the Timpanogos Cave National Monument. The Forest Service grooms the track depending on snow conditions (not on a regular schedule). Parking is limited with room for 5-6 vehicles at the west entrance and 2-3 at the east entrance (up-canyon just before the Tibble Fork turnoff). The track is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long providing a 3 mile (4.8 km) out-and-back. Skiing up-canyon the grade is very mild with a minor hill at the beginning. With the main road nearby there is vehicle noise, but with the flowing stream, trees and canyon location, overall it's a pleasant area. Even though Little Mill is posted as a cross country ski area, the track is often damaged by foot traffic with the worst being first 100 yards. Still, it's perfect for the quick, after-work ski. All of the campground facilities are closed (no restrooms or water). There is a $3 entrance fee to the canyon ($25 for a year pass).