HEADS Up! Stay Alert on the Mountain This Summer (The Summer Trail Report is Your Friend)
Greetings summer adventure people! Team Brundage is off and running with another action-packed summer season full of hiking, biking, live music and fantastic food at Smoky’s Bar and Grill. As we welcome everyone back to the mountain for summer season we want to make sure you’re informed and able to STEER CLEAR of our construction zones this summer.
We have several active construction zones across the mountain as crews work to replace the Centennial Triple Chair and build our new Mountain Adventure Center from the ground up.
Our projects are moving along very well and we’re going to keep the momentum going all summer to make sure we get all the important pieces of these projects completed, while keeping our guests, staff and contractors safe. Here’s what that means for our guests:
#1 – South Lodge Lane will be closed ALL SUMMER.
Dump trucks and other heavy machinery are using this road to access the top of Centennial on a daily basis so South Lodge Lane is CLOSED TO UPHILL AND DOWNHILL TRAFFIC.
What this means for HIKERS: Hikers can still enjoy our most popular summit hikes, Hidden Valley Overlook and the Lookout Trail. The only way to hike from the top of Brundage to the base area is via the multi-directional, multi-use XC Rock Garden, Lakeview Vista and Growler trails. Please be aware that this is a much longer route than South Lodge Lane, and its multi-use, multi-directional nature means everyone will need to be on the lookout for other users on the trail.
IMPORTANT: As always, hikers are not allowed on ANY trails designated as DH. For your own safety (and that of others) DO NOT hike on Elk Trail, Hidden Valley, Grouse, Wildcat, Zorro or High Voltage. A great alternative option for hikers is the Goose Creek Falls Trail, the trailhead is less than a mile from the Brundage base and this hike, which is about 3 miles out-and-back (1.5 each way) crosses Goose Creek and leads to scenic Goose Creek Falls.
What that means for BIKERS: Please be aware that there may be more hikers on the routes mentioned above than in the past. Take it easy around corners and near blind spots to make sure we can all enjoy the mountain safely.
#2 – We will have ROLLING CLOSURES throughout the summer as construction activities shift around different parts of the mountain
For example, when helicopters fly in concrete and lift towers for the long-anticipated Centennial upgrade, we will close trails and roads that intersect with those activities for the safety of guests and workers. (Makes sense, right?)
What that means for HIKERS and BIKERS: The Summer Trail Conditions report will be your best friend this summer. This webpage is updated frequently to reflect closed trails and other information and keeping tabs on these updates is the #1 best way to stay safe this summer.
#3 – Users of the Brundage Lookout Road (FS Road 456) need to BE on the lookout all summer long
FS 456 is a popular route for motorized users (UTV-ers and Dirt Bikers) to reach the Brundage Lookout, but construction at and around the top terminal of Centennial means everyone needs to travel this route WITH EXTREME CAUTION. Brundage is committed to keeping access open as much as possible, but safety is and will always be our #1 priority. That means those who travel FS 456 need to slow down when approaching the Brundage Mountain boundary and keep a keen eye out for signage, ropes and ribbons near the top of the road.
#4 – Do NOT, under any circumstances, cross closures, boundaries or ropes
There may be heavy equipment working and other construction hazards beyond the naturally occurring hazards normally found on the mountain.
#5 – Be aware of construction activities around parking lots and the Northwoods area
One more area you’ll want to avoid is the Northwoods residential area, located next to the Lower Rodeo ski run. Infrastructure work is ongoing in this area and that means heavy truck traffic is likely off of Goose Lake Road just north of the main resort access area. Public access is absolutely off-limits in this area.
You’ll also want to take it slow heading into and out of the main parking lot. In addition to the construction on new lodge facilities, the Easy Street learning area is being re-graded which will bring heavy truck traffic to this area as trucks bring in fill (this soil is being re-purposed from other construction zones to create a larger, more user-friendly beginner area).
View or Download Larger Map Here
This map shows the major construction zones IN THE BASE AREA. Brundage reserves the right to close additional areas, trails, roads and access points – as needed – to keep our guests, staff members and contractors safe. Again, please consult the Summer Trail Report for current updates and information.