Mary Ellen Gulch

Route

Mary Ellen Gulch

Page Type: Route

Location: Utah, United States, North America

Route Type: Skiing

Time Required: Half a day

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Page By: TyeDyeTwins

Created/Edited: Apr 29, 2009 / Dec 24, 2009

Object ID: 510076

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Page Score: 87.26% - 5 Votes

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Overview

Mary Ellen Gulch is located near the top of American Fork Canyon. Resting as the gulch next door to Snowbird's Mineral Basin, this area see's some skiers and lots of snowmobiles. The access is either super easy or super long but the terrian that Mary Ellen contains can make any skiers day.

Skiing West Miller Hill.

The top of what some would call Marry Ellen Bowl

Getting Up There

There are 2 ways to get to Mary Ellen Gulch.

1. The easiest of the 2 would be to start at Snowbird. Ski down Mineral Basin past the lowest chairlift. Go past a bridge until you hit the boundry rope and start the short but steep uphill skin to the ridge.

Skinning up to Mary Ellen Gulch

2. The harder and forever approach is from Tipple Fork Resivor in American Fork Canyon. Trust me, this route is a better exit rather than entrance.

Troy skinning along the Mary Ellen ridge line

Decent Route Descriptions

There are several runs in Mary Ellen Gulch to choose from........

1. The Double Y Chutes Seen from Snowbird these chutes never see much traffic throughout the year. This is just one of the reasons why the Double Y Chutes are the "gem" of Mary Ellen Gulch.

The Double Y Chutes

2. The Mary Ellen Super Chute- Depending on the snow year this chute can be tricky to access but is totally worth the struggle.

The Mary Ellen Super Chute

3. West Miller Hill- Worth your time if your in the area. Skin to the top of Miller Hill and drop where ever you like.

West Miller Hill.

4. Ellens Knob- This knob is quite popular with the Wasatch Powder Birds and snowmobilers so if your looking for fresh tracks this one is better saved for late April early May.

Ellens Knob

5. Mary Ellen Bowl-In Mary Ellen Gulch this bowl is definatly conditions permiting. Usually best to takle this one in late spring when the snowpack is deep and stable. Look for the fattest chute and watch out for all the cornices.........This area has tons of them.

The top of what some would call Marry Ellen Bowl

Troy skinning along the Mary Ellen ridge line with Marry Ellen Bowl in the background

Essential Gear

Avalanche skills, beacon, shovel, probe, partner and common sense. Skis are highly recommended.

Images