Name: Wasatch Crest Mountain Bike Trail
Address: 7778 S Guardsman Pass Rd, Brighton, UT, 84121

All photos by Outdoor Project Contributor, Brant Hansen

| **Pros:** Huge vistas. Long ride. Fast descents. **Cons:** Often busy. **Congestion:** Moderate **Preferable Season(s):** Summer, Fall **Day-Use/Parking Pass Required:** Not Required **Dogs allowed?:** No | **Total Distance:** 11.40 mi (18.35 km) **Terrain Difficulty:** GREEN **Trailhead Elev.:** 9,732 ft (2,966 m) **Net Elev. Gain:** 850 ft (259 m) **Trail Uses:** Hiking, Biking **Trail type:** One-way/Shuttle |
| --- | --- |

The Wasatch Crest Mountain Bike Trail near Salt Lake City is consistently ranked among Utah's top mountain bike trails, but it also easily measures up against as one of the America's best mountain bike rides. You won’t get very far down the trail before you realize why.

Wasatch Crest Mountain Bike Trail

Salt Lake is where mountain adventure meets city amenities. The towering Wasatch Mountains embrace the Salt Lake Valley and provide a dramatic backdrop to our vibrant, active, urban environment. Hike to dramatic waterfalls or alpine lakes, then refresh with award-winning cuisine. Explore the Great Salt Lake, then rock the night away to music that suits your specific tastes -- whether that's jazz, pop, symphony, or anything in-between. Race down snow covered slopes and then apres with local craft brews. How you spend your time in Salt Lake is as unique as you.

Visit Salt Lake

Salt Lake is the place where the Wasatch mountain peaks frame city streets. Sure, Salt Lake's famed for our winter powder ([four legendary ski resorts](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/) just 30 minutes from downtown), but that's just one season's story. Summer brings families [hiking through wildflower meadows](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/) before cooling off at a Jazz game or the Gateway fountains. Autumn paints our mountain canyons in gold, perfect for morning strolls that end at local coffee shops. Spring? That's when you might spot baby bison on Antelope Island before heading to the Eccles Theater for a Broadway show. Our soaring Wasatch Mountains rise dramatically from downtown Salt Lake, creating a place where every day offers both natural wonders and urban energy. And while we sit perfectly between the [national parks](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/state-national-parks/) with Yellowstone's geysers and Utah's red rock country, the real magic happens right here, where everyone can [discover the history](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/plan-your-visit/about-salt-lake/) of the city as they find their own rhythm between mountain adventure and city life.

Sports Salt Lake

From I-15 exit 297 go east on UT-48 to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Follow the canyon to Brighton. Silver Lake is behind the Nordic Center on the one-way loop.Birds you can see—Blue Grouse, Three-toed Wood-pecker, Hammond’s and Dusky Flycatchers, Western Wood-Pewee, Townsend’s Solitaire, Swainson’s Thrush, Lazuli Bunting, Black Rosy-finch, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill. Handicap accessible.

Silver Lake Boardwalk

1.75 mi/2.8 km one-way — This hike starts at Brighton Resort, 15 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Follow the signs west of the general store for the meadow path to Silver Lake.When you reach Silver Lake, continue to the right along the north shore. About halfway around the lake, on the northwest side, the trail splits; take the right-hand fork. When the trail splits again, follow the posted signs for a gradual climb to Lake Solitude, a tiny lake in a tree-lined bowl. Take along a picnic and a camera.

Silver Lake/Lake Solitude

Great Utah snow, fantastic terrain, and exceptional value are what make Brighton a favorite of skiers and snowboarders alike. Brighton has 6 lifts (4 high-speed quads, 1 fixed quad and 1 triple chair) and a magic carpet to whisk you to incredible slopes and scenery. Children 10 years and younger ride free any day, all season.

#### Included in the Salt Lake Ski Super Pass

[Learn more about the Super Pass](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/super-pass/)

Brighton Resort

With views of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, Honeycomb Grill is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal after a day on the mountain. Honeycomb Grill serves contemporary American cuisine using fresh, locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients. Serving lunch and dinner daily, the menu features an array of appetizers, entrées and house made desserts. To complement its creative menu, Honeycomb Grill offers a great selection of local and imported beer, a varied wine list as well as specialty cocktails.

Honeycomb Grill is open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch beginning Thursday, June 8, 2017.

**Hours:**  
Thursday - dinner, 3 to 9 p.m.  
Friday and Saturday - lunch, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.;dinner, 4 to 9 p.m.  
Sunday - brunch, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner, 4 to 8 p.m.

Honeycomb Grill

A medium-length family friendly hike with beautiful lake view.

This well trafficked hike is a must. While the trail shown here is a great loop, it can be adjusted for any level of hiking - it can be shortened to an out and back to just see the beautiful Lake Mary, or it can be lengthened to take in Mary, Martha, Catherine, Dog, and Twin Lakes. Many families and groups of all types on the Lake Mary trail section, but the link between Mary and Twin is less crowded. It's recommended to avoid weekends and holidays, if possible, as this is a popular hike. Spring hiking can be difficult as the snow still sometimes covers the trail even as late as June.

**Local's recommendation:** This is a good summer or fall hike - the temperatures at this elevation in Big Cottonwood Canyon is 10-20 degrees cooler than the Salt Lake valley.

**Details**

**Difficulty:** Easy

**Highest point:** 9675 ft

**Lowest point:** 8766 ft

**Best time of year:** May - October

**Safety information:** Bring comfortable hiking shoes, plenty of water, and extra snacks. There are steep parts, so a walking pole is helpful. Swimming and dogs are not permitted anywhere in Big Cottonwood Canyon because it is a watershed area.

**Roadbook**

From the parking lot at Brighton Resort, follow the signs for the Lake Mary trail. The trail is well signed all the way up, and if you choose to take the loop to Twin Lakes Reservoir, it is also well marked.

- Start point - 8302 S Brighton Loop Rd, Brighton, UT 84121 - 0 mi
- Highest point, 9675 ft - 1.7 mi
- Lowest point, 8766 ft - 4.6 mi
- Lake Mary - Destination - 4.7 mi

**How to Get There**

**Public transport:** Bus routes do not travel up to this trailhead in summer - best access is by car.

**Parking:** Parking at Brighton Resort near the trailhead is free outside of the ski season.

Lake Mary to Twin Lakes Reservoir Loop Trail

Glide in our winter wonderland. Solitude’s Nordic & Snowshoe Center is one of the best-kept secrets. Explore twenty kilometers of pristine trails through some of Utah’s most stunning terrain. Easily accessible from the Solitude Village, the center has both classic and skate styles of Nordic skiing.

Solitude Nordic Center

[Solitude Mountain Resort](https://solitudemountain.com/) has something to offer skiers and riders of all abilities with an average of 500” of annual snowfall, 1,200 acres of incredible terrain, 77 named runs, three bowls, a [Nordic Center](https://solitudemountain.com/winter-activities/nordic-skiing-nordic-center), Snowsports Academy, [snowshoeing](https://solitudemountain.com/winter-activities/snowshoeing-other-activities) as well as some of the most impressive off-piste terrain in the country.  
  
[Solitude Mountain Spa](https://www.solitudemountain.com/mountain-and-village/spa) Our intimate, four-room spa offers a serene and personalized experience, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. With 15 diverse service offerings, including massages, facials, and body treatments, there's something for everyone. We also feature seasonal holiday specials to enhance your celebration, as well as tailored bridal packages designed to pamper and prepare you for your special day. Whether you're seeking tranquility or preparing for a big event, our spa provides a soothing retreat for all.

Included in the Salt Lake Ski Super Pass

[Learn more about the Super Pass](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/super-pass/)

Solitude Mountain Resort

The Yurt offers one of the most unique dining experiences in Utah. Guests snowshoe less than a mile distance through a moon and lantern lit forest to a Mongolian yurt, where a chef prepares an exciting and unforgettable four-course meal right before your eyes. Available Thursday through Sunday evenings during the winter season, this intimate dining adventure is limited to a maximum of 24 people. Reservations are required and adults over 13 years of age are invited. Dinner, corkage, guide, tax and gratuity are included in the price.

*The Yurt at Solitude will open for the 2016-2017 winter season on December 1, 2016 and will be open Thursdays through Sundays, 5:30 to 9 p.m.*

The Yurt at Solitude

The Stone Haus Pizzeria and Creamery offers guests a quick and convenient place to grab a fresh sandwich for lunch or piping hot pizza for dinner. Featuring a variety of handmade pizzas, sandwiches, sports drinks and beer, the Stone Haus is the perfect spot to grab a quick bite before heading back on the mountain or winding down your day. And if your sweet tooth is nagging you, don’t forget to try some of our delicious, hand-packed ice cream.

Stone Haus Pizzeria & Creamery

The Thirsty Squirrel is a classic, mountain pub offering a variety of cocktails, craft beers, wine and hot appetizers. Sit down and swap stories, play some pool or catch highlights from a game on one of the large flat-screen TVs.

The Thirsty Squirrel

St. Bernard’s serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday evenings during the winter season and features a selection of European family favorites in a casual and comfortable buffet-style setting. The crackling fireplace provides a warm and picturesque ambiance while dining at St. Bernard’s. In addition to its diverse menu, St. Bernard’s also offers a wide selection of wine, beer and cocktails.

*St. Bernards is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. beginning on December 2, 2016.*

Wasatch Crest Mountain Bike Trail

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