Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | 7.6 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6400 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+1350, -1350 feet |
| Navigation | Road, marked trail, map and compass |
| Time | Full day |
| Season | Mid-December through March |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Pinecrest |
| Start | Dodge Ridge Ski Resort parking loop. Follow Dodge Ridge Road to where the one-way loop of the ski area parking lot begins. A right turn at this point leads into the parking area at the Crabtree Trailhead. |
Description
This loop tour along part of Dodge Ridge is an extension of the Dodge Ridge tour. Its most notable features are that it takes you away from the heavily used roads that make up the marked trail system in the area and it contains a 0.3-mile section that is steep and very, very wooded. It also offers a good downhill run above the wooded section.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Note: The Pinecrest Nordic Ski Patrol has marked many backcountry ski trails in this area. Where applicable, the numbers and name of the trails are given in brackets. Visit their website to download a map showing all the marked trails or obtain a map at the Summit Ranger District office at #1 Pinecrest Lake Road near the junction with Highway 108.
Waypoint 1 to 3
Miles: 0.0 - 0.4
Elevation change: -50 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski on the spur road that weaves southwest for 0.4 mile until you reach the intersection with Crabtree Road (3). You may or may not see the road junction at mileage point 2, which is located 0.1 mile from Crabtree Road. The road that intersects the spur road you are on enters from the east (left), is part of a series of roads that lead to the ski resort, and is sometimes groomed. You will know you are at Crabtree Road because a stop sign and road direction sign will probably be visible.
Waypoint 3 to 5
Miles: 0.4 - 1.6
Elevation change: +550 feet
Turn southeast (left) onto Crabtree Road and ski in that direction for 0.9 mile and then north for 0.3 mile until you reach Hair Pin (5) an almost 180-degree turn in the road. You may or may not see the road junction at mileage point 4, which is located 0.4 mile from the previous road junction. The junction at mileage point 4 is a Y with the north-most (left) fork heading downhill and is part of a series of roads that lead to the ski resort. It is sometimes groomed. This tour stays on the larger, south-most (right) fork. [#5 Aspen Meadow trail]
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 1.6 - 2.1
Elevation change: +150 feet
Continue climbing south on Crabtree Road for 0.5 mile until you reach a road junction (6). The road makes a left turn just before you reach the junction. [#5 Aspen Meadow trail]
You can make an interesting short detour from the road junction by skiing west, at first through trees and then in the open, for 0.1 mile until you reach the top of a ridge from which there is an expansive view to the north and west.
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 2.1 - 2.4
Elevation change: -100 feet
Turn southwest (right) and follow the road for 0.3 mile until you reach a road junction (7).
Waypoint 7 to 8
Miles: 2.4 - 3.6
Elevation change: -150 feet
Continue on the north-most (right) road to the southwest for 1.2 miles until you are on the north side of Peak 7175 (8). In this section it is easy to ski off the road to the ridge top. If you do so, be careful of the steep and possibly overhung drop to the north.
Waypoint 8 to 9
Miles: 3.6 - 3.9
Elevation change: -150 feet
Ski northwest on the road for 0.3 mile until you reach a road junction (9) where the main road heads southwest and a spur road takes off to the northwest.
Waypoint 9 to 10
Miles: 3.9 - 4.3
Elevation change: -400 feet
Leave the main road and ski northwest down a ridge for 0.4 mile until you reach a cliff (10). In order you will descend gradually through sparse trees, through more dense trees, through an open area and finally into trees once again at the cliff. Be wary of cornices here.
Waypoint 10 to 11
Miles: 4.3 - 4.7
Elevation change: -250 feet
Turn more west and continue down the ridge, where the terrain will open up again, for 0.4 mile until the good skiing terrain ends abruptly (11). All that you see ahead is very, very dense trees.
Waypoint 11 to 12
Miles: 4.7 - 5.0
Elevation change: -350 feet
Descend north through the trees for 0.3 mile until you reach a road (12). A compass will be helpful in this section.
Waypoint 12 to 13
Miles: 5.0 - 5.3
Elevation change: -50 feet
Ski east (right) on the road for 0.3 mile until you reach a four-way road junction (13). The main road you intersect is Crabtree Road.
Waypoint 13 to 14
Miles: 5.3 - 6.0
Elevation change: +200 feet
Turn southeast (right) onto Crabtree Road and follow it for 0.7 mile until you reach a road junction (14). The road to the south (right) is part of the Crabtree Trail Loop tour.
Waypoint 14 to 15
Miles: 6.0 - 7.0
Elevation change: +200, -50 feet
Continue generally east and then north for a total of 1.0 mile until you reach a road junction (15). [#1 Crabtree trail]
Waypoint 15 to 3
Miles: 7.0 - 7.2
Elevation change: +50 feet
Continue on the main road to the southeast for 0.2 mile until you reach the road junction (3) you were at early in the tour. [#1 Crabtree trail]
Waypoint 3 to 1
Miles: 7.2 - 7.6
Elevation change: +50 feet
Turn east (left) onto the spur road and follow it as it meanders to the northeast for 0.4 mile until you reach the trailhead (1).
