Groomed trail
No
Elevation Gain
889.00 ft (270.97 m)
Distance
10.97 mi (17.65 km)
Warming hut
No
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In the summer and fall, Louis Lake Road acts as a 25-mile connector road from Hwy 28 directly into Sinks Canyon State Park. From it, you can access the majority of the trails on the western side of the Wind River Range. These include trailheads to Christina Lake, Silas Lakes, Leg Lake, Roaring Fork, and Stough Creek Basin.

In the winter, however, the road is unplowed and closed to all motorized vehicles except snowmobiles. As such, it makes for a nice and easy-going out-and-back route for cross country skiers and fat-tire bikers alike. The terrain is mildly hilly, steadily gaining elevation the majority of the trip in (making for a nice easy glide out!). The steepest hill is approximately one mile from the parking. On the way in (north), you’ll be going downhill on this steep bit. Fair warning, it’s a bit of a blind curve that drops off quite suddenly, so be prepared. Fortunately, the trail is wide and there are no trees beside here so a wipeout is pretty low consequence. 

Keep your ears open for approaching snowmobiles, as some portions of the road are narrow enough that you may need to get off to the side (especially given the speed at which many snowmobiles zip past).

Overall, this road is great if you just want to ski but aren’t in the mood for navigating and deciding which route to take, as with the other more complex ski trails in the surrounding area, including both the groomed Beaver Creek tracks and the ungroomed Willow Creek trails. Ski as little or far as you like, though Grannier Meadow, where Christina Lake Road splits off to the west, is a good goal, making for a 10-mile round-trip journey.

Another option is to make it a multi-day trip by skiing a total of 8 miles one-way to Louis Lake Lodge, where you can rent a quaint cabin (available year-round) for the night at an affordable rate and ski out the next day. 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Pros

Easy terrain. Long and easy mileage. Access to backcountry lodge.

Cons

Extremely windy conditions. Snowmobilers allowed.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Trailhead Elevation

8,456.00 ft (2,577.39 m)

Highest point

8,922.00 ft (2,719.43 m)

Features

Vault toilet
Family friendly
Big vistas
Wildlife

Trail type

There-and-back

Typically multi-day

No

Snowmobiles allowed

Yes

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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