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Big Cottonwood Canyon

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Gems in Big Cottonwood Canyon - 1

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gem Favorite Sundial peak from the shores of Blanche Lake - stunning...

Lake Blanche

(38) Alta, UT

Recommended Routes in Big Cottonwood Canyon - 10

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Favorite Sundial peak from the shores of Blanche Lake - stunning...
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Lake Blanche Trail

7.0 mi 11.3 km 2,592' Up 790.06 m Up 2,592' Down 790.15 m Down

Cottonw…, UT
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Favorite Donut Falls
Intermediate Intermediate

Donut Falls Trail

1.5 mi 2.4 km 417' Up 127.15 m Up 416' Down 126.94 m Down

Cottonw…, UT
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Favorite Sunrise on Catherine Pass.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Alta-Brighton Loop

8.6 mi 13.8 km 2,297' Up 700.24 m Up 2,319' Down 706.93 m Down

Alta, UT
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Favorite Sunrise from Catherine Pass.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Brighton Lakes to Sunset Peak

6.1 mi 9.9 km 1,837' Up 559.87 m Up 1,833' Down 558.78 m Down

Brighton, UT
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Favorite Desolation Lake in the morning light, from an adjacent meadow
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Deso-Crest-Dog Loop

12.9 mi 20.8 km 2,770' Up 844.37 m Up 2,769' Down 843.89 m Down

Alta, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite A view across Little Cottonwood Canyon, looking up Hogum Fork to the ridge near Lone Peak and the Pfeifferhorn. It's hard not to feel small when peeking at the shoulders of these giants!
Very Difficult Very Difficult

Broads Fork Twin Peaks

9.6 mi 15.4 km 5,325' Up 1622.93 m Up 5,324' Down 1622.68 m Down

Cottonw…, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Desolation Lake in the morning light, from an adjacent meadow
Intermediate Intermediate

Dog Lake and Desolation Lake

8.6 mi 13.8 km 2,098' Up 639.5 m Up 2,112' Down 643.72 m Down

Alta, UT
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Favorite Mountain scene.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Prince of Wales Mine

4.4 mi 7.0 km 1,270' Up 387.1 m Up 1,271' Down 387.25 m Down

Alta, UT
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Big Cottonwood Canyon Hiking

  • 65 Miles 104 Kilometers of Trail
  • 10 Recommended Routes
  • 1 Gem Gems
  • 3 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 21 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 14 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Big Cottonwood Canyon

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Trails in Big Cottonwood Canyon - 28

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12.6 mi 20.2 km #1Wasatch Crest
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Brighton, UT
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Brighton, UT
1.0 mi 1.6 km #2Lake Mary Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Alta, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Alta, UT 18 
0.9 mi 1.5 km #3Silver Lake Loop
Easy Easy
Alta, UT
Easy Easy
Alta, UT
2.5 mi 4.0 km #4Brighton Lakes Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Alta, UT
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Alta, UT
1.8 mi 2.9 km #5Kessler Peak North Route
Difficult Difficult
Alta, UT
Difficult Difficult
Alta, UT
2.2 mi 3.5 km #6Lake Solitude Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Alta, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Alta, UT
2.2 mi 3.6 km #7Willow Heights Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Brighton, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Brighton, UT 13 
4.0 mi 6.5 km #8The Triple Traverse Route
Very Difficult Very Difficult
Cottonwood Heights, UT
Very Difficult Very Difficult
Cottonwood Heights, UT
1.9 mi 3.0 km #9Mill D North Fork Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Alta, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Alta, UT
2.5 mi 4.0 km #10Broads Fork Trail #055
Difficult Difficult
Cottonwood Heights, UT
Difficult Difficult
Cottonwood Heights, UT

Photos of Big Cottonwood Canyon - 126

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Iconic view from Lake Blanche (Early May)
May 15, 2015 near Alta, UT
Donut Falls
Jan 22, 2016 near Alta, UT
Sundial peak from the shores of Blanche Lake - stunning...
Jan 22, 2016 near Alta, UT
Lake Blanche in late spring.
Jun 13, 2017 near Alta, UT
At the junction of Mill B north fork and Desolation trail, looking towards Millcreek canyon.
Aug 3, 2019 near Mount O…, UT
View of Broad's Fork Twin Peaks, Sunrise and Dromedary from Mill B trail.
Aug 3, 2019 near Mount O…, UT
View from the trail
Jun 29, 2022 near Alta, UT
View from the trail.
Jul 6, 2022 near Alta, UT
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