SierraPundit

This semi-loop or out-and-back,  aka “Hawks Peak Direct”, offers a short, fairly intense workout when you don’t have all day to spend skiing, plus a good, earned  downhill run back.  Note the vertical gain is about the same as in the Great Race, but over a shorter distance. As a diagonal plodder on waxless skis I generally head up the gentler grades on the Moodance Hut portion of the loop, and return on the steeper downhills via Boot Scoot and White Lightning.   It’s easy to take a wrong turn in this section thus killing the downhill fun.    Near Intersection 9, Boot Scoot is off of Sundance, not  Boot Hill, and you want the right branch of White Lightning at Intersection 6, not the left.

For a shorter, more intense workout, skip the Moondance Hut loop segment and head directly up White Lightning and Boot Scoot portion out-and-back.   Note this involves some upgrades where diagonal striders on waxless skis will lose grip except under perfect snow conditions.