Salt Lake County, Utah

The trailhead to Willow Lake is about 11 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and is on the north side of the road right after the passing lane begins. It can be easy to miss, and is only marked with a plaque on a rock (40.630302, -111.604639). As you hike a little in from the road you will see the tra...

The Trail: Follow the marked trail and you'll hike less than a mile up to the edge of Willow Lake. Moose like to hang out in the thick willows there, so make lots of noise to warn them that you're coming and you won't startle any. Standing on the shoreline, you'll have a great view of Solitude ...

Willow Lake has become my favorite spot in all of Utah.  It feels so distant from civilization in the mountains, but is only a 25 minute drive from Salt Lake City. I have hiked to Willow Lake close to 10 times this year during different seasons, and have never seen more than 5 people on the trail...

Cecret Lake is reached by driving up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Albion Basin above Alta Ski Resort. The hike is just under 1 mile to the lake and should take about 30 minutes. The hike goes through fields full of wildflowers and wildlife is abundant. Moose, deer, and various wildlife can be s...

To get the the trailhead, drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon until you reach the upper entrance into Solitude Ski Resort. You can park on the road just below the entrance to the resort. Across the street is a road called Old Stage Road, this is where the trail head begins. The road is covered in snow...

Silver Lake is one of the easiest, most accessible hikes in the Wasatch, located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, close to the ski resorts of Brighton and Solitude.The lake is accessible all year; with a boardwalk or a well-signed path circling the lake through spring to fall. In the wi...

Not only is this hike absolutely gorgeous, but it also has an epic rope swing at the end! To get to the trailhead you'll need a vehicle that can handle rough roads—you have to drive up a bit on the side of the mountain to get to the trailhead. The beginning of the hike is marked with a little bul...

The trailhead begins at the Solitude Nordic Center. Walking around Silver Lake, you get a chance to observe the ducks and lovely wetlands area. This trail then leads you into the lower aspens, and if you are hiking just as fall colors have begun to emerge, they create a glowing effect in the wood...

This quick hike to a beautiful lake in the Wasatch Mountains is perfect for the whole family. Park at the visitor center at the Silver Lake Recreation Area near Brighton Ski Resort, pick up a trail map and walk behind the building to find the trailhead. You can also pick up a wildflower guide at ...

This trail is a local favorite because you can make it as hard or as easy as you want it to be! You can stop at the first lake which is only 1 mile from the parkinglot, or you can go to the top of one or more of the 5 peaks that are surrounding the lakes for an added challenge. It is 3.5 miles ro...

Park at the main parking lot at Brighton Ski Resort and head up the hill (under the Majestic Lift is a good place to start). Hiking is generally easy, even with snow on the ground, due to compaction of the snowpack during the daytime. However, snowshoeing and skinning with skis can be a good alte...

The petroglyphs are pretty easy to find and it is such a short hike you can do it in about 45 minutes. To get to the trailhead, drive to Centerville, Utah and take 400 N all the way towards the mountain. The road with curve to the right with a small dirt road heading to the left. Take the dirt ro...

Since this is a loop you can start at either end, but this is the way we did it. Start driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Enjoy the views and take in the impressive peaks on either side of the road. See the changes in vegetation as you gain elevation in the canyon. As you near the top and pass Sol...

Awesome all year round, but one of the best places to chill out during winter. The water is just hot enough to feel amazing and escape from the cold. This place is public and not supervised. It does close from 10pm-6am and police have been known to pass by and enforce it. Pulling in to the parki...

Famous for being the route of the Mormon Pioneers who crossed this pass on their way into the Salt Lake Valley, Big Mountain Pass is also a beautiful area to take in the fall colors. You can access this road (Utah State Route 65) from Emmigration Canyon or Parley's Canyon, the same way you would ...

Rob's Trail is a perennial favorite among Park City locals for year-round hiking, trail running, or mountain biking. The trail is primarily an out-and-back, but it if you go a bit further it can be combined with other trails to create a loop. The trail meanders through aspen and pine trees on the...