Where To Hike Big Cottonwood Canyon?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The Big Cottonwood Canyon Trail is one of the newest trails in the Salt Lake Valley

. This beautiful paved trail follows Big Cottonwood Creek for nearly two miles from the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon to I-215.

How do you get to Big Cottonwood Canyon?

To reach Big Cottonwood Canyon from Salt Lake City,

take I-215 to the 6200 South “Canyons” exit and then continue east on U-152, following signs to Solitude and Brighton

. This 15-mile scenic byway takes about one hour round trip. From the main road, this canyon narrows almost immediately into dramatic alpine scenery.

Is there a fee for Big Cottonwood Canyon?

It’s just a canyon.

It’s free to drive up, free to hike, free to picnic in most areas

. The only costs are if you camp, and there are one or two picnic areas that charge for day use but they are well marked. Parking at the top of the canyon,at Brighton is also free.

What is the difference between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon?


Whereas Big is slippery quartzite, Little offers “sticky,” glaciated Granite to its climbers

. The latter also features multi-pitched climbs, which means climbers can walk a bit and get away from weekend crowds. With pitches from 5.8 to 5.13+, the Cottonwoods offer something for every climber.

How long is Cecret Lake Hike?

Children will enjoy playing along the shoreline and watching the salamanders swimming in the crystal clear waters of Cecret Lake. Return the way you came. Round trip hiking distance is approximately

2.0 miles

with 440 feet of elevation gain.

How many trails are in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

12.2 mi #1

Wasatch Crest Intermediate/Difficult Alta, UT


Intermediate/Difficult


6
2.5 mi #5Brighton Lakes Trail Intermediate/Difficult Alta, UT Intermediate/Difficult 8 3.8 mi #6Mill B North Fork Trail Difficult Cottonwood Heights, UT Difficult 5

Where is Big Cottonwood Canyon located?

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a canyon

in the Wasatch Range 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah

. The 15-mile (24 km)-long canyon provides hiking, biking, picnicking, rock-climbing, camping and fishing in the summer.

Can you drive through Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Big Cottonwood Canyon


This beautiful 15-mile drive takes about an hour to traverse roundtrip

. From the main road, the canyon narrows almost immediately dropping to the dramatic alpine scenery. Here, you’ll find some of the best hiking, fishing, rock climbing, and camping for miles around.

What city is Big Cottonwood Canyon in?

About 30 minutes southeast of

Salt Lake City

, Big Cottonwood Canyon, located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, is home to two ski resorts and is also a popular hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking area.

Where is Uinta National Forest?

Uinta National Forest /juːˈɪntə/ is a national forest located in

north central Utah, USA

. It was originally part of the Uinta Forest Reserve, created by Grover Cleveland on 2 February 1897.

Where is Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah?

Little Cottonwood Canyon lies

within the Wasatch-Cache National Forest along the eastern side of the Salt Lake Valley, roughly 15 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah

. The canyon is part of Granite, a CDP and “Community Council” designated by Salt Lake County.

Is there a fee for Little Cottonwood Canyon?

Restrictions: Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are watersheds: NO PETS ALLOWED EVEN IN VEHICLES. Passes:

Mill Creek Canyon user fee is $5.00/per car, $3.00/senior, and $50.00/yearly pass

.

Is Brighton up Big Cottonwood Canyon?


Brighton is located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon

, just 35 minutes southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake International Airport.

Why is it called Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Big and LittleCottonwood canyons: Named by Brigham Young

for their plentiful cottonwood trees and for one canyon being larger than the other

.

What is the elevation of Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Elevation at the mouth of BCC is about

4,920 ft

. After 14 miles of climbing, you’ll reach Brighton at about 8,770 ft. Enjoy beautiful canyon and river views as you climb, and keep an eye out for wildlife.

How hard is Cecret Lake hike?

From Cecret Lake, it is a

moderate-strenuous

hike to the top of Sugarloaf Peak.

How long of a hike is Donut Falls?

The trail is up to

3.5 miles roundtrip

depending on where you start your hike. If you start from the Mill D parking area, it’ll be 3.5 miles. If you start at the Donut Falls parking area, it’ll be about 1.5 miles roundtrip.

Do you have to pay to go to Cecret Lake?


$10 to get to the trailhead via car on the road

. Beautiful hike! Not too difficult and even a little snow!

What lake is up Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Description:

Silver Lake

is located at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon at 8,760 ft. This popular, family-friendly destination is a beautiful place to hike during the hot summer months of July and August when the mountain wildflowers burst into bloom.

What is up Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a quick 25 minutes away from Salt Lake International Airport (22 miles), and is home to two world-class ski resorts (Solitude & Brighton), legendary rock climbing routes, epic backcountry skiing access, hiking and mountain biking trails, and picnic areas straight out of an outdoor magazine.

How long is Cottonwood Canyon Road?

How long is Cottonwood Canyon road? The road is

74km (46 miles) one way

and connects the town of Cannonville with Highway 89, just west of Big Water. The road is open all year (dry seasons) and totally impassable when wet, even in a 4×4.

What is the largest canyon in Utah?


Zion Canyon

, Utah

Zion is home to the world’s largest arch: Kolob Arch, with a span of 310 feet.

What mountains are in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Overview. The

Wasatch Mountains

have a lot of wonderful peaks that have great hiking and climbing routes. Whether you like snow, alpine, or rock climbing, it’s all here within a short drive of the city. Big Cottonwood Canyon has many quartzite cliffs in the lower part of the canyon.

What kind of rock is in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

The head of the canyon reveals 35-million-year-old igneous activity where a large body of magma intruded into the surrounding rock and, while beneath the Earth’s surface, then cooled and hardened into a

gray granitic rock called granodiorite

.

What is the most scenic drive in Utah?
  1. Highway 12 | Southern Utah.
  2. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway | Heber Valley. …
  3. Potash Scenic Byway | Moab. …
  4. Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway | Northeastern Utah. …
  5. Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy | Vernal. Drive where dinosaurs roamed. …

Can you drive across the Salt Lake?


Driving is permitted on the flats

, although there are sometimes seasonal closures when the salt is moist or there’s standing water on the surface — signs will be posted. Visitors should only venture beyond the road when the flats are completely dry.

What is the scenic route in Utah?


Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway

U.S. 89 north and east from Logan to the Utah/Idaho Border is a 41-mile National Scenic Byway and the most scenic route from Northern Utah to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone in Wyoming. The byway runs alongside the winding Logan River from the city of Logan to Garden City.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.