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Promise Land

Brighton and Solitude

Park City and Deer Valley

Salt Lake City

High elevation, north facing trees hold soft snow for a long time after a storm

Ski Touring Difficult

Distance
2.1 km
Ascent
0 m
Descent
478 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
2.7 km
High Point
3.2 km
Gradient
38˚
Promise Land Map

A wonderful place to get a few powder laps in pine trees. Approach from Park City/ Deer Valley through Guardsman Pass (closed in winters), Brighton from the Great Western lift, or from where Guardsman Pass Road is closed. See the red line in photo for most common skin track to return to the top.

Description

Approaching from Park City allows for slightly more stretching of the legs and to eliminate driving almost an hour to the winter gate at Guardsman Pass. Taking the Great Western lift at Brighton is the quickest way, but getting back to Brighton after skiing this area is tricky. The most common approach is to park at the winter gate for Guardsman Pass and skin up the ridge from the parking lot. It trends up and to the right and is the only ridge to follow to the summit. This ridge is a very easy skin, with a generally direct skintrack and some flat sections. The upper part is steeper and may require some kickturns. Along the ridge, a small cornice may form, with the upper sections sometimes being a bit windblown and icy.

From the summit of 10420, views down into Heber Valley, Park City, and Big Cottonwood Canyon can wow a skier. The run ends at the road, which often has a lot of snowmobile tracks on it. Taking a snowmobile to the top of 10420 is prohibited. To return to the summit for another lap, follow the ridge that extends north west from the summit. Some steeper areas exist in these trees, and crown lines can occasionally be seen despite the heavy vegetation.

This is a great place for skiers based in Park City to meet skiers based in Big Cottonwood. Approaches from both sides leading to common ground makes for a great social outing. After parting ways, it is fairly easy to ski back to either Big Cottonwood or Park City from the top of 10420. To return to Park City, follow the ridge skier's right (North-North East) to the saddle and return follow the tracks. Re-entering Park City Mountain can be met with consequences depending on who is on patrol and how they feel about somebody ducking boundary ropes. Returning back to Big Cottonwood, ski the fall line and/ or trend skiers left (west). Upon reaching the road, often full of snowmobile tracks, follow it west until back at the parking lot. There is usually a skin track from somewhere on the road back up to the ridge, and this can be followed for a quick second lap.

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between January and April

Features

  • Tree Skiing

Equipment required

  • Skins

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area