South Hills Cross Country Ski Trails

Maintained by the High Desert Nordic Association (HDNA)

on the Sawtooth National Forest (updated 22 Dec 2014)


The trails are located about 28 miles south of Hansen, Idaho, near Magic Mountain Ski Area.  About 23 miles of trails are maintained, and about 10 miles are machine-groomed for classic style Nordic skiing. No fees are charged; trails are supported through HDNA membership.  Topographic maps of the trails in color are available (see links).  Trails are marked with signs, blue diamonds, poles with orange tops, or orange ribbons (usually with silver stripes).  A backcountry overnight hut is also available.


Snowshoers are welcome, but please snowshoe to one side of the ski track!  A snowshoe-specific trail is located just east of the lodge. Dogs are allowed, but please keep the trail clean for other users.  Please preserve the ski track!   A good trail for multi-use and for beginners is the 500 Road (aka Rogerson Road), beginning across the Rock Creek road from the Magic Mountain Lodge and heading north, as it is wide and has restricted snowmobile use only for access to the private cabins.  The loop road within the Upper Penstemon Campground is also interesting and good practice for beginners.


If you are new to the trails, we recommend contacting an HDNA member.   The trails can be used to access many off-trail slopes or backcountry tours.  Avalanche danger is generally low, but off-trail skiers should have avalanche awareness and route finding skills.  If you find fallen trees blocking trails, or have other concerns, please contact an HDNA member (see the website). The HDNA website also has links to site-specific NOAA and SNOTEL data on weather and snowfall.


Elk Basin Trail


This trail is relatively level and is high elevation and scenic, even spectacular, along the east (leeward) side of Deadline Ridge between the top of the Magic Mountain Ski Lift on the south and the 500 Road on the north.  The entire route is groomed and is easy (4.5 miles), 1.5 miles on the Elk Basin Trail and 3 miles on the 500 Road between the Elk Basin Trail and the Lodge. The Elk Basin Cutoff Trail is not groomed but provides a shorter, steeper route to the 500 Road, for more advanced skiers.


Rock Creek Trail


The trailhead is located near the base of the main Magic Mountain chairlift.  This groomed trail is suitable for beginning to intermediate skiers.  The counterclockwise direction follows a roadway on a 400-foot climb through the trees to a junction where the short loop (2 mi) drops away to the left.  The long loop (3.3 mi) continues up to the ridgeline, follows the ridge to the south and descends back along the highway and through Pettit Campground, rejoining the uphill trail ¼ mile above the trailhead.  


Penstemon Trail


Park at the ski area or at a turnout less than ¼ mile north of the lodge. This trail is groomed when conditions permit and is for beginning to intermediate skiers. Trail leads through the Upper Penstemon campground before following an up-and-down route that leads to the 500 Road. Skiers may turn left and follow the road back to the ski area for a 3.2-mile loop or turn right and follow the road for ½ mile to the Thompson Creek Trailhead.


Thompson Creek (formerly called Upper Penstemon)


Not groomed, but clearly marked, the trail contours the east side of Buckskin Ridge and enters the Thompson Creek drainage where it provides access to the HDNA Backcountry Hut, loop trails, and off-trail areas.  The round trip from the Lodge is about 8 miles. The Thompson Loop starts above the beaver ponds. Other less well-marked or unmarked routes offer rewards for adventurous backcountry skiers. The Rim View Loop contours around a scenic ridge north of Thompson Creek. A trail leading north from Thompson Creek accesses open terrain all the way to Grandview Peak to the north. Mountain View Peak to the west and many points along Buckskin Ridge offer spectacular views in all directions.





Pike Spring Trail


This trail is not groomed but is relatively easy.  Access this trail from the north end of the snowmobile parking lot, (east side of the road about a mile above the ski area) or by one of the connector trails from the Rock Creek trail, or lodge.   The 1.7 mile loop winds through the trees, down a draw, and then climbs back to the starting point.  Several combination loops can be skied between the Rock Creek and Pike Spring trails.


Wahlstrom Hollow


A parking turnout is found about a mile north of the Magic Mountain Ski Area.  The trailhead is on the east side of the road.  This trail is not groomed and is recommended for more advanced skiers.  Marker signs or posts are placed at turns and in open areas.  Skiing counterclockwise around the main 4 mile loop, you will climb to the top of the ridge, cross it, then descend through a wooded hollow, before turning to climb over the ridge and return along open slopes to the trailhead.  The Wahlstrom North loop extends the trail into a scenic valley to the north. The combined loops total nearly seven miles.  An unmarked connector trail joins the Wahlstrom trailhead to the Penstemon trail across the creek on the west side of the road.


Magic-Wahlstrom Trail


This trail provides more adventurous skiers a route from Magic Mountain Lodge to the Wahlstrom Hollow trail system.  It starts from the south end of the parking area, switchbacks up the west side of Pike mountain, then traverses north around Pike Mountain to join the Wahlstrom trail main loop. Look for orange flags on trees and marker poles to cross the open areas. A long tour can be made from the lodge to Wahlstrom Hollow, back to the Wahlstrom trailhead, crossing to Penstemon trails, and back to the lodge.


Magic Mountain Snowshoe Trail


This trail, especially designed for snowshoers, is accessed from the west side of the Magic Mountain Lodge. The trail heads north, parallel to Rock Creek road, climbs to a ridge, then follows the ridgeline east and south back to the Lodge. The loop is about 1 mile in length.


The Cross Country Skiers’ Code of Responsibility
Always ski in control.   Be more alert when visibility is poor and on narrower and steeper trails.  Keep safe distance from skiers ahead of you. Watch for grooming equipment.
Stay to the right when approaching an oncoming skier.  When overtaking another skier on the descent, announce your intention to pass, and on which side.  Never lose track of anyone in your party.
Climbing skiers should yield to those coming downhill.
Keep the track clear. Move well off it during rest breaks.  If you fall, clear the trail quickly for other skiers and fill in all holes to leave a smooth trail.  If you snowshoe or walk, keep to the side and do not damage the ski track.
Always be prepared to help a fellow skier.
Respect trail-marking signs.