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

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

One of the best hikes for families with children - a great nature walk. Short, not too steep, and with a beautiful pay off at the end in the form of an unusual waterfall.

Donut Falls Trail

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

From exit 295 on I-15 go east about 5 miles to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Continue east up the canyon 4.5 miles. Park in the Tanner’s Flat campground parking lot south of the road.Birds you can see—Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rufous Hummingbirds; Hammond’s and Dusky Flycatchers; Clark’s Nutcracker; Stellar’s Jay; Swainson’s Thrush; Tree, Violet-green, and Cliff Swallows; Pine Grosbeak; Red Crossbill; Cassin’s Finch; Black Rosy-finch.

Little Cottonwood Canyon

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 |
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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

Located up Big Cottonwood canyon, this trail is a great opportunity to get out on your snowshoes. If you're not looking to go too far, you can also bring a tube or sled and enjoy the hills at the trailhead.

Lake Desolation Mill D North 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

All photos by Outdoor Project Contributor, Kyle Jenkins

| **Pros:** Amazing views down canyon. Beautiful lake. Wildfowers. Easy access to the trailhead. **Cons:** Steep. Can be a little crowded. No dogs. Exposed at times. **Congestion:** Moderate **Preferable Season(s):** Summer, Fall **Day-Use/Parking Pass Required:** Not Required **Dogs allowed:** No | **Total Distance:** 5.60 mi (9.01 km) **Trailhead Elev.:** 6,300 ft (1,920 m) **Net Elev. Gain:** 2,600 ft (792 m) **Trail Uses:** Hiking **Trail type:** There-and-back |
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An absolute must-see for the aspiring Wasatch adventurer, Lake Blanche Trail is the perfect mix of challenge and accessibility. The ascent is steep, as is the case with many trails in the Cottonwoods, but the reward at the end of the hike keeps a steady stream of people coming to give it a try. Nearly 4 miles up the trail lies a serene lake with a towering peak known as the Sundial. The jagged dual-spire reflecting in the water below creates a unique and breathtaking scene.

From the parking lot the trail begins a few hundred yards up a paved pedestrian road heading east. The start of the actual trail is on the right and is easy to miss; if you reach the waterfall at the end of the road you have gone just a bit too far. The waterfall is worth checking out, however, if you are visiting for the first tim

Lake Blanche Trail

Pamper yourself with some “me” time. Solitude Mountain Spa offers a full array of luxurious services including facial, scrubs, and more. Long day hitting the slopes? Relax in our dry sauna. Foot cramps from stiff ski boots? Enjoy a pedicure or deep tissue massage.

Solitude Mountain Spa

29 miles from SLC Airport, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort is North America's most accessible year-round resort and conference center. Celebrating the longest ski season in Utah, Snowbird also offers a variety of summer activities. Snowbird’s only ski-out, ski-in accessibility, The Cliff Lodge, is the flagship of the lodging properties at Snowbird.

Snowbird Resort and Conference Center provides mountainside meeting facilities, lodging, recreation and dining only 40 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport. 50,000 square feet of meeting facilities and over 800 luxurious rooms accommodate groups of 12 to 1,200.

Connect Pass Attraction - Includes one Scenic Foot Passenger Tram Ride.



Snowbird

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