Summary 
| Difficulty | 3 Intermediate |
| Length | 7.2 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6400 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+1000, -1000 feet |
| Navigation | Road and marked trail |
| Time | Most of a day |
| Season | December through mid-April |
| 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
The most notable feature of this tour is that it takes you away from the heavily used roads that make up the marked trail system in the area; well, at least 40 percent of the distance is away from those trails. Although part of the route is along Dodge Ridge, the views are mostly obscured by the trees.
The tour begins with a slog up a road to within 0.1 mile of Aspen Meadow. Beyond the terrain is filled with gentle slopes. On the way back the uphill turns into a brisk downhill run for which you will want forgiving snow conditions.
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.
Heading out from Crabtree trailheadWaypoint 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]
Crabtree Road near road junction at mileage point 6You 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.
Looking northwest and down ridgeWaypoint 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.
Return to trailhead
Miles: 3.6 - 7.2
Elevation change: +150, -850 feet
Retrace the route for 3.6 miles back to the trailhead (1).
