Big Cottonwood Canyon

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Gems in Big Cottonwood Canyon - 1

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

Lake Blanche

Recommended Routes in Big Cottonwood Canyon - 10

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

Lake Blanche Trail

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

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Top of Baldy

Discrete Cirque Series - Alta, UT

7.1 mi 11.4 km • 2,469' Up 752.57 m Up • 2,495' Down 760.4 m Down

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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!

Broads Fork Twin Peaks

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

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Donut Falls

Donut Falls Trail

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

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Desolation Lake in the morning light, from an adjacent meadow

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

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Sunrise on Catherine Pass.

Alta-Brighton Loop

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

Favorite

Sunrise from Catherine Pass.

Iron Cowboy Triathlon Run Course

11.0 mi 17.7 km • 3,153' Up 961.11 m Up • 3,151' Down 960.29 m Down

Favorite

Sunrise from Catherine Pass.

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

Favorite

Mountain scene.

Prince of Wales Mine

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

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Desolation Lake in the morning light, from an adjacent meadow

Deso-Crest-Dog Loop

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

Big Cottonwood Canyon Running

142 Miles 228 Kilometers of Trail
10 Recommended Routes
1 Gem
3 Easy Trails
21 Intermediate Trails
14 Difficult Trails

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Areas Within Big Cottonwood Canyon

Brighton Ski Resort

Mill D South Fork Valley

Solitude Mountain Resort

Weather Averages

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Trails in Big Cottonwood Canyon - 28

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0.9 mi 1.5 km #1Silver Lake Loop Easy Alta, UT	Easy	Alta, UT	9
1.0 mi 1.6 km #2Lake Mary Trail Intermediate Alta, UT	Intermediate	Alta, UT	16
0.9 mi 1.4 km #3Twin Lakes Trail Intermediate/Difficult Alta, UT	Intermediate/Difficult	Alta, UT	4
2.2 mi 3.5 km #4Lake Solitude Trail Intermediate Alta, UT	Intermediate	Alta, UT	4
2.5 mi 4.0 km #5Brighton Lakes Trail Intermediate/Difficult Alta, UT	Intermediate/Difficult	Alta, UT	8
2.2 mi 3.5 km #6Cardiff Pass Trail Intermediate/Difficult Alta, UT	Intermediate/Difficult	Alta, UT	5
2.2 mi 3.6 km #7Willow Heights Trail Intermediate Brighton, UT	Intermediate	Brighton, UT	10
2.7 mi 4.3 km #8Collins Gulch Road Difficult Alta, UT	Difficult	Alta, UT	3
1.5 mi 2.4 km #9Upper Albion Meadows Trail Intermediate Alta, UT	Intermediate	Alta, UT	4
2.9 mi 4.6 km #10Albion Basin Summer Road Intermediate Alta, UT	Intermediate	Alta, UT	4

Photos of Big Cottonwood Canyon - 123

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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

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

The Donut

Jul 6, 2022 near Alta, UT

View from the trail.

Jul 6, 2022 near Alta, UT