In the past, there were not a lot of snowmobile tracks set over the course of winter on the expanse of land near the top of Weber Canyon outside Oakley, Summit County.
Not because the terrain isn't good. Because it is. Or the snow isn't good. Because it is. The land is privately owned — all 50,000 acres.
The Thousand Peaks Ranch remains one of the largest undeveloped land holdings in Utah. And, in the winter, one of the largest tracts of land where snowmobile access is limited.
Which, recalled Bud Larson, owner of the Snowmobile Adventures at Thousand Peaks, got him thinking: Why not guide tours within ranch boundaries?
This winter he got permission to ride the land, purchased 20 new Ski-doo Summit snowmobiles, printed a brochure and waited for calls.
And they came, said Larson, "Some from people on ski vacations in Park City and looking for a different adventure, some from corporations wanting to bring up clients, and some from families looking for a quiet, winter adventure."
The ranch entrance is located 12 miles east of Oakley. Larson headquarters his operation out of a 30-foot yurt near where the road ends.
From there the options are endless, he explained.
"The property reaches all the way up into Wyoming. People can choose to ride over groomed trails or break off and hit some of the large powder fields, or ride up into the high country," he explained.
"There are points on the ranch, on a clear day, where you can see all the way into Wyoming and into three counties."
The base operation is located just below the 8,000-foot elevation. Some of the peaks on the ranch reach up to more than 10,000 feet.
Larson grooms about 50 miles of trails on ranch property. And, as he pointed out, off-trail there is no limit to the areas where people can ride.
All rides are guided and can range from two hours to a half-day. There is a warming hut on the mountain where half-day tours stop and enjoy a lunch of gourmet sandwiches "or we have the capability of cooking up some hot meals."
When it came time for Larson to purchase his machines, given the snow conditions, he opted to buy the latest, most up-to-date equipment he could.
The machines, he explained, "are lighter, more powerful and have a longer track, which makes them ideal for either trail riding or taking into the soft, deep powder we have on the ranch."
Those driving a snowmobile must be 16 or older and have a valid driver's license.
Rental fees, which include the guide service, are $85 for a two-hour adventure or $130 for a half-day trip, which includes guide and lunch. An additional rider is $25 for the two-hour trip and $45 for an additional rider on a half-day ride.
Past that, said Larson, the options are unlimited.
For information, call 1-888-304-7669 or visit the Web site at www.thousandpeaks.com.
E-mail: grass@desnews.com