Willow Lake

Salt Lake County, Utah

4.5/5

based on 14 reviews

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Details

Distance

2.41 miles

Elevation Gain

659 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

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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Willow Lake Reviews

Nathan and Brianna Milot

Willow Lake

11/03/16

I hiked up to Willow Lake twice this year. Once in the summer and then again in the fall. Both were wonderful experiences, and neither day was crowded. The lake was more full in the summer, but the bright yellow aspen leaves in the fall were stunning. It is a little tricky to find off the road, but using the GPS coordinates worked out perfectly.

5.0

Explorer

Jackson Smith

Explorer

Willow Lake

09/22/16

My favorite short hike in the Wasatch. The distance is short, but it is pretty steep at first, but eventually flattens out. Fall is just getting into full swing and this is one of my go to hikes in the fall. You get to hike through dense aspens and nothing beats aspen leaves in the fall. If you can be at the top when the sun is setting, you'll be in for a treat. The colors are so vibrant during this time of day.

5.0

hannah geise

Willow Lake

09/11/16

An easy, quick hike. My friend and I went up there yesterday after work - the aspens are starting to change color, and the fall colors are starting to pop on the mountains surrounding this trail. Stop to look behind you, or look up on your way back down so you don't miss the views!

4.0

Robert Hughes

Willow Lake

07/04/16

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 is huge and has some of the largest aspens I've ever seen. Any not many people hiking it. I'll definitely do this hike again and again, especially want to see it with fall colors.

5.0

Explorer

Thomas Burton

Explorer

Willow Lake

05/25/16

This is a fun place to visit in the fall. The hike is all uphill to the lake so its also a great workout but short enough that families can enjoy it as well.

3.0

Whitney Smith

Willow Lake

05/02/16

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 gorgeous hike but I would recommend good snow shoes/poles. Can't wait to do this hike in the summer!

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Camp at Willow Lake

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 trailhead. This hike is just under 1 mile, but is pretty steep. It eventually levels out the closer you...

Backcountry Ski Willow Fork

Willow Fork is just across the mountain from Solitude Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. You can access Willow Fork from a few different trailheads; either from the Willow Heights Trailhead or across the street from both the lower and upper Solitude parking lots. The Willow Heights Trailhead will take you up to the Beaver Pond Basin where you can either keep left and tour up through West Will...

Photograph Wildlife at Willow Lake

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. You can hike year-round, but the best season is Fall, when the aspens change from green to vibra...

Backcountry Ski Beartrap Fork

You can access the trailhead to Beartrap by driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon 10.4 miles and parking on the right side of the road. You will see the "Bear Trap Fork Rd" sign on the left side of the road, this is where the trailhead begins. Make your way up the skin track through the dense aspens until you reach the fork in the trail. Here you can either make a right and make your way up to the t...

Backcountry Ski USA Bowl

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 in the winter so you can put your skis on here and follow it up. Eventually the skin track splits o...

Backcountry Ski Short Swing, Mill D North

Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon until you reach the Spruces Campground on the right. You will park here and prep your gear for the day. Walk back out to the canyon road and cross the street to the trail head. As you hike up the trial, you'll pass some cabins, once you've passed all the cabins, you'll eventually come to a fork in the skin track going to your right up the mountain and through the ...

Willow Lake

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Features

Willow Lake Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Camp at Willow Lake

Backcountry Ski Willow Fork

Photograph Wildlife at Willow Lake

Backcountry Ski Beartrap Fork

Backcountry Ski USA Bowl

Backcountry Ski Short Swing, Mill D North

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