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Details
Distance
2.41 miles
Elevation Gain
659 ft
Route Type
Loop
Features
Scenic
Lake
Forest
Wildflowers
Wildlife
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About this place
Added by Colton Marsala
Willow Lake is an easy hike with beautiful colors, scenic views, and an alpine lake located close to Salt Lake City.
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 Ski Resort to the south.
Getting There:
The Willow Heights Trail is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Driving up the canyon, it's found on the left side of the road shortly after passing both the Silver Fork Lodge on the right and the Canyon Vacation Rentals on the left.
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Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
Community
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Nate Johansen
6/4/2025
Not Crowded
Amazing Views
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Melissa Marsted
9/10/2020
Amazing fall colors hike!
This is one of the most stunning hikes around in October when the fall leaves are reflected in the water. This area is known ...
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Natalie F
7/30/2020
Great!
Did this in the winter and had a great time! A little harder to navigate since there was snow everywhere, but we enjoyed ourselves! ...
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Travis Poulson
9/4/2018
The moose is loose
Fantastic family hike for all seasons. If you catch the aspens in all their golden glory, you will not believe your eyes! Also, watch ...
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Nitish Pedaparti
9/29/2017
would like to know the current conditions
I am planning on making this trip all the way from Fremont CA and i would like to know if the fall colors are ...
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Michelle Olmstead
9/27/2017
A Local's Favorite!
This hike is perfect when you are short on time but will give you a good workout due to the fact that it's fairly ...
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Natalie Wagstaff
7/14/2017
Awesome, Easy Hike
I loved this Trail for a quick hike after work! It's somewhat steep, but only about a mile up. Parking is weird, the trailhead ...
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Nathan and Brianna Milot
11/3/2016
Beautiful Hike!
I hiked up to Willow Lake twice this year. Once in the summer and then again in the fall. Both were wonderful experiences, and ...
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Jackson Smith
9/22/2016
Gorgeous Fall Colors
My favorite short hike in the Wasatch. The distance is short, but it is pretty steep at first, but eventually flattens out. Fall is ...
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hannah geise
9/11/2016
Perfect for a quick jaunt after work!
An easy, quick hike. My friend and I went up there yesterday after work - the aspens are starting to change color, and the ...
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Robert Hughes
7/4/2016
Amazing aspen grove and meadows
Just did this hike yesterday (7/3/16) - still very green and nice wild flowers, greenery up to your waist in many areas.
This aspen grove ...
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Thomas Burton
5/25/2016
Fun short hike especially in the fall.
This is a fun place to visit in the fall. The hike is all uphill to the lake so its also a great workout ...
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Whitney Smith
5/2/2016
Several feet of snow in the spring, still beautiful!
Just did this hike today for the second time and didn't realize how much snow there would still be in late Spring. Definitely a ...
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Rebecca Stubbs
12/11/2015
Fall is the best
Fall is definitely the best time to hit up this hike! I don't think it would be much to look at in the winter ...
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Liam McNally
9/28/2015
fun hike for fall leaves
this is a fun hike year round, but in the fall the leaves will be beautiful.
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Ricky Koplow
5/29/2015
Such a fun quick hike
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