State: Utah
Location: Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Length, Round Trip: 2 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6500 feet
Maximum Elevation: 6600 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy
Trail Information
The trail to Green Pond is a difficult trail and not for the faint of heart. The trail is narrow and very rocky. It is very popular for mountain bikes and some races are held here. Signing is very limited.
Once you reach Green Pond, circle around the lower end and follow the hiking trail over the next hill. Another pond will be found here.
The total distance is approximately 2.0 miles with walking time approximately 2-3 hours. Be sure to bring drinking water and something to eat. Once you are on your way, keep watch for birds of prey, hawks, eagles and owls. The open fields provide good hunting grounds for the air-born predators. The wetland habitat around the pond may surprise you with more sightings of wildlife such as moose. Important safety tip: don’t make the moose mad. A Great Horned Owl has been known to roost near the pond.
The Green Pond Trail a good place to try your cross-country skis. The slopes seldom have a high risk of avalanche because of the shallow slope and brush cover. A developed alpine skiing run, Penny Lane, is above you on the mountain. Please don’t use this route unless you must. Never travel uphill against the traffic even if you think you are only on the edge of the run. This is not safe or allowed within a developed ski area.
After snow begins to fall, it is common to see snowshoers and backcountry skiers along the Green Pond Trail.
Directions
The Green Pond Trail begins at the upper parking lot of Snowbasin Ski Area. Follow the dirt road, locally known as the ‘Cache’ Road, south out of the parking lot. This is immediately left as you enter the upper parking lot.
