WARNING: Due to a landslide last fall, highway UT-14 is closed from about mile 5 to 27 till summer of 2012, and this trail cannot be reached by car this winter.
To reach this area in Dixie National Forest, drive east of Cedar City on highway UT-14 just past mile marker 17, at which you should see a parking area on the south side of the road, across from the 9900 ft elevation sign. There is no marked XC ski trail here at this time, but there are several backcounty routes one can take from this point, as indicated below. This area is on a north slope and should not melt quickly on warm days. It's easy skiing if you stay away from steep slopes.
1) (Overlook) There is a summer hiking trial (the Bristlecone Pine Trail) that leads from the parking area, gently winding uphill to a wooden overlook deck with a beautiful view all the way to Zion National Park, about 30 miles away. This trail is not over 1/4 mile each way but is well worth trying. Often an ungroomed XC trail to the overlook will be visible -- otherwise you may have to bushwhack your way in a generally southerly direction and hope that you find the overlook. As you ski south from the parking area, keep the gorge just to your right, and you should, after a few minutes, get to a steep downslope with the overlook on your left, as shown by the red line on the map above. In some winters, the snow may be steep and treacherous right near the overlook and you may want to remove your skis and walk the last few yards. Always keep well away from the gorge.
2) (Bushwacking east) Another alternative is to start breaking your own trail (if none is visible) in a generally easterly direction, with the road at your left, trying to wind your way around the mountain on a contour line as shown by the green line on the map above. After about a mile you will descend into a valley (Midway Valley) near the intersection of UT-14 and UT-148. This valley is overrun with snowmobiles so be careful to stay out of their way and stay in the treed area. After you have gone east far enough, work your way back on your newly broken trail. The return route will look different from the easterly route, so you should not get bored retracing your steps.
3) (Telemarking) Finally, you could start out as in 2) above, but after proceeding a few hundred yards to the east, work your way up the hill to the right and telemark back down. Then do it again. Be careful.
