Brighton Utah Hike to Sunset Peak

Introduction

One of my favorite hikes is driving up to the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, parking at the Brighton Ski resort and taking the trail to the top of Sunset Peak.  I have done this hike once before and it is an easy to navigate hike that affords some pretty spectacular views along with the chance to see 3 lakes (four if you make the stop to Dog Lake).

Yours truly at the top of Sunset Peak

Hiking

I left the house just after 10AM and made my way to the top of the canyon.  The temperature was in the low 70's in the valley so up there it was in the low 60's.  Just an absolutely beautiful day: a touch of a breeze and plenty of sunshine.  There was quite a bit of fall color in the trees, but it hasn't hit full stride yet.

I set up my Garmin and took off.  It is about 3 miles to Sunset Peak and I made it there in about 75 minutes.  I wasn't doing a power hike or anything, but I was moving pretty quickly.  The trail starts at about 8800 feet and climbs to 10600.  

There were quite a few people on the trail.  Due to the marathon being there the previous day I did encounter a few runners who were out enjoying the scenery as well.  There was also about half a dozen people at the top; last time I was there, I sat solo on the summit (You can see photos of all the lakes in more detail in September 2013).

This trail is heavily used, primarily by tourists and visitors to Salt Lake so the chance of wildlife sighting isn't likely.  The trail is also highly runnable and if I was 100% I'd like to take a shot at running it.

After enjoying the peak, I took a detour and got on another peak which afforded some nice views of Alta.  The trail wasn't too terribly interesting going that way so after about a mile I turned around and headed back.

All in all, this is probably one of my more favorite hikes.  There are plenty of people on the trail so it is easy to strike up conversations with people (people are always so friendly on hikes) and you do get some nice views from the top of Big Cottonwood.

Lake #1: Poor Lake Mary mostly drained at this time of year

Another shot of Lake Mary. Normally you have to swim to that island

Lake #2: Lake Martha 

Aerial shot of Lake Martha

Lake Catherine below, plus the other two lakes + Brighton

Me at Sunset Peak

Views from Sunset Peak

Views from Sunset Peak

Last of the wildflowers

Alta below

Alta below

Alta below

Route plus elevation profile

Grandeur Peak Wasatch Mountains Utah

Another perfect day for a hike and I was interested in finding a new trail.  One of the more popular canyons in the area is Millcreek Canyon and I started to Google around, looking for a new trail.  I discovered Grandeur Peak Trail.

The parking lot for this trail is located at about 2945 S Wasatch Blvd at the junction of the 215 and highway 80.  There is limited parking here but I was lucky and nailed a spot.

This trail, from a technical standpoint is easy.  Endurance-wise - not so much.  In about 2.75 miles you will climb 3300 feet.  There isn't a lick of shade on the trail either, so bring plenty of water.  You will be sucking wind as well as water nearly from the get-go (there is a working drinking fountain in the parking lot).

What you are rewarded with are beautiful views of the entire Salt Lake Valley.  Within a short while you can easily see Antelope Island, Stansbury Island, downtown Salt Lake, the University of Utah, and all the suburbs of Salt Lake County.  Absolutely stunning.

Also, you will be able to make out all the freeways, including looking at the tiny-looking semi's that climb I-80 out of town.

This trail seemed to be filled with hikers included several ultra marathoners who were using it as a training ground.  The trail is mostly dirt with loose rocks and it is run-able but I would advice against running downhill.  It is just way too steep.  I know I had to "butt-slide" down sections of it and I ate it once and got thrown head first into a pile of bramble.

Again, bring walking sticks, shoes that have some grip and plenty of water.  Also there are two ways from the parking lot to the top of the peak.  The lesser known trail is definitely easier.  I took that one up and you just have one hard climb and the rest of it is mild.  The other trail is probably slightly shorter, but it is has no respite whatsoever.  The easier trail hugs the gully to the left while the right one hugs the ridge going straight up.  They both lead to the same place though.

Enjoy the photos:

Clean up after your dog!

Getting higher...

Looking down on I-80.

Looking down on I-80.

South Salt Lake Valley

North Salt Lake Valley

Grandeur Peak is the peak on the right

Getting higher

Looking at downtown Salt Lake

Life at about 7500 feet

You can just see Mountain Dell Reservoir in the background

Mining operations along the i-80

View of the mountains in Big Cottonwood

Even higher

Yup, I started at the base

Rocks with lichen

Tough going down

I was up on the peak in the distance, far left.

Little Cottonwood Trail Hike, Alta, Utah Part 2

Today afforded the opportunity to go for another awesome hike.

With the mountains still under quite a bit of snow, I decided to hit up Little Cottonwood Canyon trail again and go a bit further than what Shari and I had explored a few weeks ago.

I parked in the same spot and decided to wade through the bone chilling water.  I had hoped to find a different and more sane place to cross but I did exactly what I did last week.  The water seemed colder and deeper than a few weeks ago, but I made it across, dried off and proceeded to go north.

I can really haul up this trail.  It is wide, easy to navigate and the inclines aren't that bad.  Within short order, I had made it to the first mill where Shari had backed off 2 weeks ago.  I jumped over a stream and kept climbing.

The trail at times got spotty as it led through a copse of pine trees.  The smell was incredible and what was even cooler was the Little Cottonwood Creek was constantly by my side (so no chance of getting lost).  I managed to find a secluded spot and just sat in solitude appreciating the babbling creek.  I'd love to bring a picnic lunch up here or a book.  The weather was absolutely perfect too: sunny and in the low 70's with a slight breeze.

I kept climbing after this and the trail got dicey.  There were several spots were a wrong step could send you plunging into the icy waters below (but you'd survive).  After a bit though the trail dumps you into what looked like another tributary stream and my pace slacked off.  I hadn't seen anyone in a while and I wasn't wearing hiking boots.  The fact that I was climbing up rocks with a stream below me didn't sit well with me and I wasn't even sure I was on the trail anymore.

I decided I had had enough and turned around.

Instead of crossing the stream to get back to my car I decided to go further down the canyon.  I had seen a service road (private property) link up with the trail and figured I'd come to that and then go and walk up the main road.  However, I did cross a bridge and climb up an embankment on a well-marked trail and it popped me up right at the mile 5 marker on Little Cottonwood Road.  A quarter mile walk later I was back at my car, dry and basking in a glow of a nice hike.

Enjoy the photos:

I sat about 30 minutes here enjoying the view

Old mill

Still snow on the mountains