The fee this summer is $8 per vehicle. If you are visiting Utah, make sure to put this on your bucket list! Drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill. The trail to Cardiff Pass (and on to the top of Superior) is perfect for experienced hikers. You’ll drive as far as you can on pavement, parking at the Alta Ski Resort lodge (Albion Grill). Once the snow melts, Alta is a beautiful place to explore alpine lakes, rugged mountain peaks and midsummer wildflowers painting every valley in between. Albion Basin — This is a hike where the trail is the destination. Heard an owl and saw some animal that I couldn’t identify. Alta had beautiful scenery. These make for some sunny hiking trails through aspen trees. 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. It was good hike. Follow the Summer Road 1.6 miles to Access to the Catherine’s Pass Trailhead. Beautiful well marked trail. This is a great trail for the family. 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. 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. Albion Basin is a place all locals to Utah should definitely hike in the Summer at least once in their lifetime! 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! A little steep in a few spots but not too difficult. The flowers were in full bloom and we saw a moose as well! With over 13 miles of Forest Service trails, there are plenty of trails to distance yourself from others. The hills are alive and adventure awaits. Continue up the obvious dirt road (Albion Basin Road, passable by sedans) till it ends at the Albion Basin Campground. Another day, tho. 8 moose 4 deer. No matter which starting point you choose, the views of this meadow full of vibrant wildflowers will blow you away. Didn’t make it all the way up — trail got really thin and steep and I wasn’t feeling it. Trail ascends eastward. To improve your experience Update 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. There is parking much closer to the lake that we will have to try next time. It reminds me of the Alps!!!! 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. We have seen lots of wildlife on this hike. Generally speaking, lower elevation trails and trails on the north side of Highway 210 will be the first to melt out and become hikeable. With over 13 miles of Forest Service trails, there are plenty of trails to distance yourself from others. 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. Beautiful, moderate, wildflowers galore. Tons of chipmunks and we did see a couple of deer and some squirrels. Description: The Wasatch-Cache National Forest is home to many spectacular wildflower-viewing sites in the Intermountain Region. Albion Basin is famous for its wildflowers and rightfully so. 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. Beautiful lake esp in the morning. 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. Little Cottonwood Canyon is famous for its snow, so be patient and wait for the slopes and trails to melt. The rock of Devil's Castle is of high quality and is surpassed only by the rock quality of Lone Peak . Do it! We saw a moose resting a little way off the trail. 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. Wildflowers in bloom. The hike is beautiful beyond belief!!! Fun little adventure! Summer at Alta. Albion Basin is about 45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Wildflower Hike In Albion Basin At Albion Basin, wildflowers you will see include lupine, Indian paintbrush, American bistort, sunflowers, fireweed, and many more! 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. Great for beginners! Length 3.6 miElevation gain 744 ftRoute type Out & back Following Albion Basin is the Cecret Lake trailhead–a quick hike with a beautiful pay off! The pass at the ridge is a beautiful spot with a rugged, alpine feel. It is a busier trail but still enjoyable. Take lots of snacks and water. The route up Germania Pass to overlook Albion Basin is one of the best. If you take this trail you don't have to pay for parking which is nice. Access the Cecret Lake Trailhead following 1.4 miles on the Upper Albion Meadows Trail. Saw a moose, great temperature. your browser. 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. Mountain goats are … Amazing! Only complaint is that the top 1/4 (after a parking lot) was SOOOO busy! All rights reserved. went on a wednesday afternoon and traffic was light. While more experienced hikers will enjoy the East Greeley/Backside hike. Besides the near constant construction noise, this was a great hike! We started at the basin, pretty quick to elevation! Did this trail the third week of July, absolutely stunning. A nice hike. This trail accesses or travels through potential avalanche terrain. We got to see the lake with light and the sunset on the way down. Fun hike. Park City Mountain Sports Club hikes Albion Basin to Sunset Peak via Catherine Pass. 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. 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. :-). Hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Alta in the summer. Parking at the Albion and Wildcat base areas is always free. The views are beautiful and the path is wide. -Devil’s Castle Loop is another lesser known trail in Albion Basin. Yes, I have worked on it, or better, I have work to do [wink wink]. There’s a large campsite at Albion Basin, which lets early risers get a sunrise start on their hikes. 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. Cecret Lake: Round-trip length: 1.7 miles Just uphill from Albion The easy trail is just 1.7 miles out and back. Albion Basin trail is easy and great for those new to hiking 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. For more information and to read the daily avalanche forecast please visit: https://utahavalanchecenter.org 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. The flowers a spectacular. Nice clear trail with beautiful scenery the whole way. If you’re interested in staying in the area overnight, you’re in luck! Please let me know if you have any other questions about this hike! It is well-marked and easy to find. The Albion Basin Summer Road begins at the Albion Base Area parking. Albion Basin is a beautiful place and Devil's Castle provides the ultimate backdrop. Your browser is not supported. Loved the variations in scenery from rocky paths , boulders to forest dirt trails ending at cecret lake. 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). Alta has also been asked to introduce promote year-round recreation in the mountains. Annoying busy. Numerous paths take visitors through spectacular wildflower meadows full of brilliant colors and fragrances. Easy hike for recovery day, This is a beautiful hike. A pretty hike early in the morning, but the trail and lake gets crowded quickly after sunrise. Please note that due to construction and infrastructure improvement projects, we have suspended lift-served hiking from the Sunnyside lift. 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. a little busy tho (: The wildflowers have all mostly dried out. Make sure you pay attention to the map, lots of forks in the road! Breathtaking views. 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. Beautiful scenery and rock formations. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. 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. The Albion Basin wildflowers are It was hard and windy but a good hike overall. Be aware of ongoing construction around Alf’s Restaurant. This trail is heavily trafficked, but still very worthwhile. View the Summer Map with Trail Descriptions, ©2020 Alta Ski Area. 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. Cecret Lake (40.5713401 Not too big of a deal but worth knowing. The Lower Albion Meadows Trail is a wonderful trail for families with children and those new to hiking at elevation. Albion Basin, where you’ll start your hike, is famous for its stunning array of wildflowers (mid-August is your best bet). Albion Basin is one of the great wildflower meadows of northern Utah, and this trail takes you right through the heart of it. Please refer to Summer Trail Map for trailhead parking locations and trail descriptions >. You can find driving directions It certainly doesn’t have a monopoly on beauty, wildlife, or wildflowers, as so many hikes can give you those. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from May until September. The climb via Albion Basin Road By the most direct route, there's over 1000 vertical feet of climbing just to reach the singletrack. Users have reported that during winter and spring the gravel road leading to the trailhead might be closed. Little Cottonwood Canyon is a protected watershed—providing up to 14% of Salt Lake City's drinking water. Go in the morning when there's more shade and it's cooler. Drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill. Nice an quiet on a Tuesday. Plan on hiking the Albion Basin? Please respect the rights of private landowners and stay on designated roads and trails. My kids love this hike. If you want an easier hike, drive up and pay at the toll!! With limited parking in the Albion Basin, an amenity fee per vehicle will be charged. 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. Bring a camera. Really good climb up to lake. As you hike, please consider the following: Please respect closed trail signs and do not pick or trample the wildflowers. Note that the use of motorized vehicles on trails is prohibited. Wildflower Hike In Albion Basin At Albion Basin, wildflowers you will see include lupine, Indian paintbrush, American bistort, sunflowers, fireweed, and many more! We started the hike at about 5:30pm and it was perfect weather. This trail has lots of wildlife, a varied and beautiful terrain with interesting rock formations, and ends at a scenic lake. Amazing waterfalls in spring and fields of gold aspen groves in fall. The route is a little longer than starting from the upper parking lot but that just gives you more time to enjoy Albion Basin. Deer, birds and oftentimes moose. We went on a Saturday, late morning though. Catherine Pass Trail information is provided through Intermountain LiVe Well's healthy trails, another great way to enjoy outdoor activity and get moving. Hand and foot climbing is necessary. Averaging 547” of snow each ski season, it takes a little while for the snow to melt and trails to dry. We love Alta! To get to the trailhead, drive to the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. We parked near the bottom and noticed there is a parking lot closer to Cecret Lake. It climbs very gradually over its course from 8700ft to 9500ft. Gotta try this hike in July. Free parking is available in the Town of Alta and at the Wildcat base area. Go up Little Cottonwood Canyon Road (UT-210) towards Alta Ski Resort until the pavement ends. 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. In the summer, amazing wildflowers color the fields of Albion Basin. At the lake itself, take your time to travel the albion-basin-utah-hiking July 27, 2016 Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. The Albion Basin is a beautiful place to explore once the snow melts. Variety of terrain. The grades are mild with only a few areas above 10%. This lake is unique for the orange tinted rocks, many of which have almost rectangular prism shapes. 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. | Privacy Policy, Running Trails Near Alta | Trail Running Project >. The Lake is gorgeous! we had the lake all to ourselves. Always a fun one to do. You may encounter moose, mountain Lake Mary via Brighton Lakes and Catherine Pass Trail, Lower Albion Meadows Interpretive Trail [CLOSED]. The Catherine Pass trailhead (40.582903, -111.618494) is located in Albion Basin near the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. 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. Pull into the Albion Basin Campground - you'll find the trailhead on the west side. nice trail to do on a super hot day! The Upper Albion Meadows Trail connects to the Cecret Lake and Catherine’s Pass trailheads are perfect for intermediate hikers. It’s a little long for younger kids, and didn’t make it all the way to the lake but it was still nice. At mile 1.9, the Catherine's Pass Trail ascends eastward. This hike has a steady incline all the way, and is very good exercise. Required fields are marked * Comment Name * Email * Website Notify me of new posts by email. Pretty cool day. 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. South-facing trails on the north side of the Town of Alta are some of the first to melt each spring. The Collins Gulch trail is for advanced hikers looking to gain 2,000 feet of elevation over 2.6 miles. Our #1 go-to hike in the Alta area. The flowers are beautiful and there are a couple of different starting points. The hike from the upper parking lot along Albion Basin Road is just one mile long, with an elevation gain of just 406 feet. This trail is 3.6 miles out and back and is said to have the prettiest wildflowers in Salt Lake City. Lots of wild life . 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. Few people on the first half of the trail if you start at Albion. Free parking is available in the Town of Alta and at the Wildcat base area. With limited parking in the Albion Basin, an amenity fee per vehicle will be charged. Loved it! Keep an eye out for historic remnants of Alta’s mining history. Home to wildflowers and wildlife, there are plenty of great trails for beginning and advanced hikers. We park at the Albion basin lot, and hike to Cecret Lake. The Collins Gulch is one of the last trails to melt, often home to skiers seeking out summer turns well into July. You can do a quick sunrise hike like we did this day, or you can pack a picnic & spend an afternoon! You come across a closer lot that has a fee if you want a shorter hike. Know Before You Go. 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. Great hikes up White/Red Pine and also Albion Basin. Elevation - 10,664. Albion Basin Trail can be found at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Cecret Lake is so popular due to the prettiness and relative ease of the hike. Consequently, first-time mountain bikers and newcomers to the Wasatch Front will likely feel the constricting effect on their lungs … Hummingbirds and deer frequent this Hiking in the Albion Basin, photography permit information, Alta Environmental Center Stewardship events, and summer trail maps for all of you Alta summer needs. I would highly suggest going on a weekday or way early or late. On the short trail to the lake (1.7 miles), you’ll likely see moose. Super busy in the approach to Cecret Lake, of course, but ample solitude from the other side of the lake and up toward Sugarloaf. Length 4.5 mi Elevation gain 1,213 ft Route type Out & Back Which lets early risers get a sunrise start on their hikes the heart of it take... 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The Summer Road begins at the Albion Basin is about 45 minutes from downtown Salt lake City areas is free!
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