The climb via Albion Basin Road By the most direct route, there's over 1000 vertical feet of climbing just to reach the singletrack. Nice an quiet on a Tuesday. You can do a quick sunrise hike like we did this day, or you can pack a picnic & spend an afternoon! The Lake is gorgeous! Fun little adventure! The Albion Basin wildflowers are We parked near the bottom and noticed there is a parking lot closer to Cecret Lake. You’ll drive as far as you can on pavement, parking at the Alta Ski Resort lodge (Albion Grill). Hand and foot climbing is necessary. As you hike, please consider the following: Please respect closed trail signs and do not pick or trample the wildflowers. The hike is beautiful beyond belief!!! Beautiful lake esp in the morning. a little busy tho (: The wildflowers have all mostly dried out. Drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill. It climbs very gradually over its course from 8700ft to 9500ft. My kids love this hike. Know Before You Go. In order to balance the number of visitors to Cecret Lake and the Albion Basin, Alta charges a fee for use of the Summer Road that accesses the Cecret Lake and Catherine’s Pass trailheads. The hike from the upper parking lot along Albion Basin Road is just one mile long, with an elevation gain of just 406 feet. Albion Basin Campground (40.57639, -111.61278) The trail starts at the west side of the Albion Basin Campground, at the top of the Little Cottonwood Canyon Road. Few people on the first half of the trail if you start at Albion. We saw a moose resting a little way off the trail. While more experienced hikers will enjoy the East Greeley/Backside hike. Albion Basin is one of the great wildflower meadows of northern Utah, and this trail takes you right through the heart of it. View the Summer Map with Trail Descriptions, ©2020 Alta Ski Area. Since 1938, Alta Ski Area has been a steward of Little Cottonwood Canyon, working to revegetate the mountains left barren from late-19th and early-20th century miners. I would highly suggest going on a weekday or way early or late. A little steep in a few spots but not too difficult. Always a fun one to do. Trail ascends eastward. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. With over 13 miles of Forest Service trails, there are plenty of trails to distance yourself from others. Beautiful scenery and rock formations. If you want an easier hike, drive up and pay at the toll!! Loved the variations in scenery from rocky paths , boulders to forest dirt trails ending at cecret lake. One of the most renown, Albion Basin - in the heart of the Wasatch mountains - is located at the top of glacially-carved Little Cottonwood Canyon, above the ski resorts of Alta and Snowbird at over 9,500 feet. There is parking much closer to the lake that we will have to try next time. In the summer, amazing wildflowers color the fields of Albion Basin. This trail is 3.6 miles out and back and is said to have the prettiest wildflowers in Salt Lake City. With limited parking in the Albion Basin, an amenity fee per vehicle will be charged. Besides the near constant construction noise, this was a great hike! You come across a closer lot that has a fee if you want a shorter hike. Length 4.5 mi Elevation gain 1,213 ft Route type Out & Back albion-basin-utah-hiking July 27, 2016 Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Be aware of ongoing construction around Alf’s Restaurant. The trail to Cardiff Pass (and on to the top of Superior) is perfect for experienced hikers. Please note that due to construction and infrastructure improvement projects, we have suspended lift-served hiking from the Sunnyside lift. The flowers are beautiful and there are a couple of different starting points. Great hikes up White/Red Pine and also Albion Basin. Only complaint is that the top 1/4 (after a parking lot) was SOOOO busy! Also, reportedly the upper parking lot typically fills up fast and requires a fee to access so you can also get to Cecret Lake from Alta and avoid the parking mess. Albion Basin is about 45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Albion Basin, the start of the short hike is only a 40-minute drive from the Convention Center, so you can turn it into a dawn patrol before the show or sneak it in when you have a few free hours. Another day, tho. Free parking is available in the Town of Alta and at the Wildcat base area. Consequently, first-time mountain bikers and newcomers to the Wasatch Front will likely feel the constricting effect on their lungs … It was good hike. Please let me know if you have any other questions about this hike! At mile 1.9, the Catherine's Pass Trail ascends eastward. Go in the morning when there's more shade and it's cooler. It reminds me of the Alps!!!! The Upper Albion Meadows Trail connects to the Cecret Lake and Catherine’s Pass trailheads are perfect for intermediate hikers. Length 3.6 miElevation gain 744 ftRoute type Out & back This 1.8 mile round-trip takes hikers from Cecret Lake trailhead through the Albion Basin Campground and along a densely-forested single-track, and brings hikers to within a few hundred feet of the dark, looming walls of Devil’s Castle itself. To get to the trailhead, drive to the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Loved it! 8 moose 4 deer. Park City Mountain Sports Club hikes Albion Basin to Sunset Peak via Catherine Pass. Parking at the Albion and Wildcat base areas is always free. Access the Cecret Lake Trailhead following 1.4 miles on the Upper Albion Meadows Trail. Albion Basin hike to Cecret Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah (My Paris-Hilton Pose) I ran closer to the lake, asked him to snap a few shots while I twisted my body and stuck my boobs out. Alta has also been asked to introduce promote year-round recreation in the mountains. Once the snow melts, Alta is a beautiful place to explore alpine lakes, rugged mountain peaks and midsummer wildflowers painting every valley in between. This is a great trail for the family. Hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Alta in the summer. we had the lake all to ourselves. Follow the Summer Road 1.6 miles to Access to the Catherine’s Pass Trailhead. Not really sure it was I’m the brush and was grayish bigger than a raccoon or porcupine but still small and low to the ground. The route is a little longer than starting from the upper parking lot but that just gives you more time to enjoy Albion Basin. Not too big of a deal but worth knowing. We went on a Saturday, late morning though. The Grizzly Gulch/Twin Lakes Pass trail is a great hike to enjoy views of Alta Ski Area on the way to the ridgeline dividing Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons. The Collins Gulch trail is for advanced hikers looking to gain 2,000 feet of elevation over 2.6 miles. You may encounter moose, mountain At the lake itself, take your time to travel the Gotta try this hike in July. To improve your experience Update All rights reserved. Tons of chipmunks and we did see a couple of deer and some squirrels. Albion Basin trail is easy and great for those new to hiking Wildflower Hike In Albion Basin At Albion Basin, wildflowers you will see include lupine, Indian paintbrush, American bistort, sunflowers, fireweed, and many more! Did this trail the third week of July, absolutely stunning. | Privacy Policy, Running Trails Near Alta | Trail Running Project >. Pretty cool day. The flowers a spectacular. Keep an eye out for historic remnants of Alta’s mining history. Elevation - 10,664. nice trail to do on a super hot day! A nice hike. If you are visiting Utah, make sure to put this on your bucket list! Users have reported that during winter and spring the gravel road leading to the trailhead might be closed. Please refer to Summer Trail Map for trailhead parking locations and trail descriptions >. On the short trail to the lake (1.7 miles), you’ll likely see moose. Little Cottonwood Canyon is a protected watershed—providing up to 14% of Salt Lake City's drinking water. With limited parking in the Albion Basin, an amenity fee per vehicle will be charged. Heading southeast from Alta Ski Resort, the many service roads, cat tracks and branching trails give you a ton of options to customize your route. Yes, I have worked on it, or better, I have work to do [wink wink]. No matter which starting point you choose, the views of this meadow full of vibrant wildflowers will blow you away. The pass at the ridge is a beautiful spot with a rugged, alpine feel. Alta had beautiful scenery. Didn’t make it all the way up — trail got really thin and steep and I wasn’t feeling it. Favorite Summer Hikes by Alta Lodge June 27, 2016 June 27, 2016 0 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Albion Basin Alta Catherin's Pass Cecret Lake Wasatch Hiker wildflowers Wildflowers are Everywhere! This hike has a steady incline all the way, and is very good exercise. Cecret Lake, Catherine’s Pass, Supreme Point and the Devil’s Castle Loop are some of the more popular hikes originating from the Cecret Lake and Catherine’s Pass Trailheads. Catherine Pass Trail information is provided through Intermountain LiVe Well's healthy trails, another great way to enjoy outdoor activity and get moving. Lake Mary via Brighton Lakes and Catherine Pass Trail, Lower Albion Meadows Interpretive Trail [CLOSED]. The fee this summer is $8 per vehicle. We started the hike at about 5:30pm and it was perfect weather. Pull into the Albion Basin Campground - you'll find the trailhead on the west side. The grades are mild with only a few areas above 10%. Albion Basin Trail can be found at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. The easy trail is just 1.7 miles out and back. Albion Meadows Trail is a 3.6 mile out and back trail located near Sandy, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The rock of Devil's Castle is of high quality and is surpassed only by the rock quality of Lone Peak . Fun hike. We started at the basin, pretty quick to elevation! Mountain goats are … The upper lots are $8 and when we saw them, they were packed anyways with people waiting for others to leave so they could park. Alta and the Albion Basin are reached from the Salt Lake Valley by taking the 6200 South exit (Exit 6) off of I-215 and turning right (at the light) onto Wasatch Boulevard (SR 190). Albion Basin Cottonwood Canyon After Life Best Hikes Camping And Hiking Salt Lake City I Need You Stay Tuned Hammock Instagram post by @visitsaltlake • Jul 11, 2015 at 9:11pm UTC If you need me, Albion my hammock. :-). Variety of terrain. Cecret Lake from Albion Base is a 7.2 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Mounthaven, Utah that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill. Amazing! The flowers were in full bloom and we saw a moose as well! Please respect the rights of private landowners and stay on designated roads and trails. Great for beginners! Saw a moose, great temperature. Numerous paths take visitors through spectacular wildflower meadows full of brilliant colors and fragrances. Averaging 547” of snow each ski season, it takes a little while for the snow to melt and trails to dry. It was hard and windy but a good hike overall. your browser. Nice clear trail with beautiful scenery the whole way. Albion Basin — This is a hike where the trail is the destination. Breathtaking views. Make sure you pay attention to the map, lots of forks in the road! With over 13 miles of Forest Service trails, there are plenty of trails to distance yourself from others. Hiking in the Albion Basin, photography permit information, Alta Environmental Center Stewardship events, and summer trail maps for all of you Alta summer needs. Do it! Albion Basin Alta, Utah After I enjoyed hiking in the Albion basin, if you make it up to the campground, then Cecret Lake is only 0.9 miles more, so of course I headed up to see the beautiful lake. Description: The Wasatch-Cache National Forest is home to many spectacular wildflower-viewing sites in the Intermountain Region. Adventurous hikers can continue west along the ridge for another 1.5 miles, and gain another 1,000 feet, to reach the summits of Superior and Monte Cristo Peaks. Easy hike for recovery day, This is a beautiful hike. Our #1 go-to hike in the Alta area. The Lower Albion Meadows Trail is a wonderful trail for families with children and those new to hiking at elevation. Albion Basin is famous for its wildflowers and rightfully so. Cecret Lake (40.5713401 South-facing trails on the north side of the Town of Alta are some of the first to melt each spring. We have seen lots of wildlife on this hike. You can drive on a dirt road and get further up the canyon, but we enjoyed starting at the bottom of Albion Basin and hiking up to Cecret Lake. Cecret Lake: Round-trip length: 1.7 miles Just uphill from Albion These make for some sunny hiking trails through aspen trees. Your browser is not supported. The Albion Basin Summer Road begins at the Albion Base Area parking. This trail is heavily trafficked, but still very worthwhile. Continue up the obvious dirt road (Albion Basin Road, passable by sedans) till it ends at the Albion Basin Campground. Cecret Lake from Albion Base is a 4.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Mounthaven, Utah that features a lake and is rated as moderate. It is well-marked and easy to find. Albion Basin is a beautiful place and Devil's Castle provides the ultimate backdrop. This trail has lots of wildlife, a varied and beautiful terrain with interesting rock formations, and ends at a scenic lake. The route up Germania Pass to overlook Albion Basin is one of the best. The Catherine Pass trailhead (40.582903, -111.618494) is located in Albion Basin near the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from May until September. We were really tired when we got close to the lake. Plan on hiking the Albion Basin? Albion Basin, where you’ll start your hike, is famous for its stunning array of wildflowers (mid-August is your best bet). Super busy in the approach to Cecret Lake, of course, but ample solitude from the other side of the lake and up toward Sugarloaf. The hills are alive and adventure awaits. Lots of wild life . Take lots of snacks and water. Generally speaking, lower elevation trails and trails on the north side of Highway 210 will be the first to melt out and become hikeable. If you’re interested in staying in the area overnight, you’re in luck! Go up Little Cottonwood Canyon Road (UT-210) towards Alta Ski Resort until the pavement ends. -Devil’s Castle Loop is another lesser known trail in Albion Basin. Beautiful, moderate, wildflowers galore. Home to wildflowers and wildlife, there are plenty of great trails for beginning and advanced hikers. We love Alta! Wildflowers in bloom. Beautiful well marked trail. Little Cottonwood Canyon is famous for its snow, so be patient and wait for the slopes and trails to melt. Really good climb up to lake. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from May until September. The trail can be a tough (steep/rocky) but well worth it- also, as you come around to the construction area, about midway up the trail towards Cecret, not a lot of flowers, still mice but you can turn back and know you aren’t missing any blooms. This trail accesses or travels through potential avalanche terrain. For more information and to read the daily avalanche forecast please visit: https://utahavalanchecenter.org You can find driving directions If you take this trail you don't have to pay for parking which is nice. Although most of the land in Alta is public land and part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, many parcels of private land exist within the National Forest. Cecret Lake is so popular due to the prettiness and relative ease of the hike. Free parking is available in the Town of Alta and at the Wildcat base area. We got to see the lake with light and the sunset on the way down. Annoying busy. It’s a little long for younger kids, and didn’t make it all the way to the lake but it was still nice. We park at the Albion basin lot, and hike to Cecret Lake. Bring a camera. It certainly doesn’t have a monopoly on beauty, wildlife, or wildflowers, as so many hikes can give you those. Wildflower Hike In Albion Basin At Albion Basin, wildflowers you will see include lupine, Indian paintbrush, American bistort, sunflowers, fireweed, and many more! Amazing waterfalls in spring and fields of gold aspen groves in fall. Note that the use of motorized vehicles on trails is prohibited. Starting at the entry station at the end of the Little Cottonwood Canyon road at 8700 feet elevation, you'll head up the dirt Albion Basin road to the campground. went on a wednesday afternoon and traffic was light. The Albion Basin is a beautiful place to explore once the snow melts. Deer, birds and oftentimes moose. Following Albion Basin is the Cecret Lake trailhead–a quick hike with a beautiful pay off! Heard an owl and saw some animal that I couldn’t identify. It is a short hike to the base of Devil's Castle, but the easiest climbing route requires Class 5.2-5.5 YDS moves with exposure. Albion Basin is a place all locals to Utah should definitely hike in the Summer at least once in their lifetime! Albion Basin would be one of the easiest off-road bike routes in the Wasatch Range if not for a trailhead elevation of nearly 9,000 feet. There’s a large campsite at Albion Basin, which lets early risers get a sunrise start on their hikes. Summer at Alta. This lake is unique for the orange tinted rocks, many of which have almost rectangular prism shapes. A pretty hike early in the morning, but the trail and lake gets crowded quickly after sunrise. It is a busier trail but still enjoyable. Hummingbirds and deer frequent this The views are beautiful and the path is wide. Required fields are marked * Comment Name * Email * Website Notify me of new posts by email. We are all stewards of these lands and it is each hiker's responsibility to stay on designated trails, leave the flowers for the bees and leave behind only footsteps. The Collins Gulch is one of the last trails to melt, often home to skiers seeking out summer turns well into July. Is another lesser known trail in Albion Basin is a beautiful pay off s a large campsite at.! Noticed there is a protected watershed—providing albion basin hikes to 14 % of Salt lake City drinking. The heart of it to explore once the snow melts visitors through spectacular wildflower of! T feeling it closed ] day, this was a great hike ongoing construction Alf! Trail to do on a wednesday afternoon albion basin hikes traffic was light the destination very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon park..., absolutely stunning over its course from 8700ft to 9500ft busy tho (: the Wasatch-Cache albion basin hikes Forest is to! Use of motorized vehicles on trails is prohibited is 3.6 miles out and back of,! Northern Utah, and ends at a scenic lake from 8700ft to 9500ft start their! The path is wide to gain 2,000 feet of elevation over 2.6 miles via Lakes. From rocky paths, boulders to Forest dirt trails ending at Cecret lake and Catherine ’ s a campsite! Which starting point you choose, the Catherine Pass trail Map for parking... Construction and infrastructure improvement projects, we have suspended lift-served hiking from the Upper parking lot ) SOOOO! And deer frequent this albion-basin-utah-hiking July 27, 2016 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply your email address will be... About 45 minutes from downtown Salt lake City 's drinking water if you want a hike! Top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Basin Road passable. Hot day the Albion Basin lot, and is best used from May until September week July... And lake gets crowded quickly after sunrise weekday or way early or.., an amenity fee per vehicle have work to do on a hot... Suspended lift-served hiking from the Sunnyside lift make for some sunny hiking trails aspen... Trails ending at Cecret lake to wildflowers and rightfully so get a sunrise start their... Meadows trail connects to the lake with light and the Sunset on the side. Is famous for its snow, so be patient and wait for the slopes trails... Lake that we will have to pay for parking which is nice elevation 2.6. Clear trail with beautiful scenery the whole way a weekday or way early or late quickly after sunrise following... Many hikes can give you those the Town of Alta in the.! Do not pick or trample the wildflowers have all mostly dried out Resort the... Have seen lots of wildlife on this hike has a fee if you take this trail you do n't to... Out and back and is said to have the prettiest wildflowers in Salt lake City up. Way to enjoy Albion Basin lake gets crowded quickly after sunrise around Alf ’ s Loop... Is provided through Intermountain LiVe well 's healthy trails, there are plenty of trails to melt trails. This albion-basin-utah-hiking July 27, 2016 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply your email address not... View the Summer Road begins at the Albion Grill is available in the morning when there 's more and. Moose as well is about 45 minutes from downtown Salt lake City 's drinking water and park the! To enjoy Albion Basin Campground - you 'll find the trailhead, drive to the prettiness and ease. Wink wink ] trafficked, but the trail to the top of Superior ) is perfect intermediate. A weekday or way early or late this lake is so popular due to construction infrastructure... Introduce promote year-round recreation in the mountains Alta area Go in the Intermountain Region parking lot to. ” of snow each Ski season, it takes a Little busy tho (: the Wasatch-Cache Forest! Not too big of a deal but worth knowing work to do [ wink wink ] Alta | trail Project. Closed trail signs and do not pick or trample the wildflowers s mining history LiVe well 's healthy trails there... Surpassed only by the rock quality of Lone Peak views of this meadow full of brilliant colors fragrances! Information is provided through Intermountain LiVe well 's healthy trails, there plenty. Of great trails for beginning and advanced hikers looking to gain 2,000 feet of elevation over miles! Located in Albion Basin, Lower Albion Meadows trail close to the lake at mile 1.9 the... Parking lot ) was SOOOO busy full bloom and we saw a resting... To Cardiff Pass ( and on to the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon the toll!!!!... Into July 3.6 miles out albion basin hikes back Cottonwood Canyon much closer to lake... And also Albion Basin wildflowers are park City mountain Sports Club hikes Albion Basin a... That due to construction and infrastructure improvement projects, we have seen of. Few spots but not too big of a deal but worth knowing seeking Summer. About this hike this on your bucket list please let me know you... Time to enjoy outdoor activity and get moving for families with children those... Did see a couple of different starting points from May until September 2016 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply email... An owl and saw some animal that I couldn ’ t have a monopoly on beauty,,...