Powder Project Logo

This might be the best descent into Farmington Canyon in terms of wide open spaces and beautiful views.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

0.2

Miles

0.4

KM

Ski Line

8,607' 2,623 m

High

8,034' 2,449 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

573' 175 m

Down

45%

Avg Slope (24°)

56%

Max Slope (29°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Overview

The run begins in a massively wide open space, then becomes dotted with baby evergreens that are easy to ski between. Stay in the drainage or cut right at the right time to find some fun and hidden open shots in the mature evergreens.

Description

The stark contrast in snow quality between the snow found on the Farmington Spine ascent and the snow in this bowl is always surprising to me. I found a mixture of powder and corn on a day when I was worried Spring had taken too much a toll on overall snow quality in the mountains. It's north-east aspect preserves snow well, perhaps even during the hotter parts of the day.

As you ski down further into the drainage, the snow quality begins to wain and becomes more crusty, but the glorious turns off the corniced ridge-line of Mud peak have already boosted your spirits so much, that you don't really mind. Thoughts immediately turn to your next lap as you consider your best place to transition. I like to cut over into the aspen grove on the north-west aspect of the Mud/Rice divide. The light and shadow in this area are something out of a dream in the morning hours.

Pay attention to the warming snow with each ascent back up to the ridge. A natural slide or cornice drop above you could get you caught and carried, maybe buried.

What is probably a better approach to this area is to come up via the Farmington Canyon Road until you reach the turn-off for the Sherriff's cabin. Skin up Van-Fleet Creek to the ridge forming the Mud/Rice divide. I like Farmington Spine, because it avoids all the ATV and motorcycle traffic of the canyon road, and the ski down the spine itself can be rewarding too. It is, however, generally much more strenuous. Many people ride a motorcycle or e-bike up the canyon road to save energy for the touring.

Contacts

Shared By:

Spencer Parkin

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#1

in Farmington

#163

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Ski Line Rankings

#1

in Farmington

#12

in Utah

#163

Overall
13 Views Last Month
148 Since Apr 3, 2021
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

In this video I skied Rice bowl three times and met up with Brett, a fellow skier of the backcountry.
Apr 3, 2021 near Farmington, UT
This was taken after skiing a good way down Rice bowl. Lots of great ski terrain here; it's just so hard to access.
Apr 20, 2019 near Farmington, UT
Here are some turns I made while getting off the ridge-line above Rice/Mud bowls.
Apr 20, 2019 near Farmington, UT
This video shows 3 descents from Mud Peak.  And yes, I suck at skiing.
Oct 3, 2020 near Farmington, UT
Typical of my camera, the part I wanted to show is the only part washed out.  I could see massive roller-ball fragments from a few days ago.  Notice the corniced ridge line.
Apr 20, 2019 near Farmington, UT
Looking down/across rice Bowl from just below the cornice line.
Apr 20, 2019 near Farmington, UT
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.