Secret (Cecret) Lake |

Alta

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Hiking Secret (Cecret) Lake - Alta Hiking Secret (Cecret) Lake

Alta

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike
MAPS: BRIGHTON, UT

Mon

A chance of snow showers between noon and 3pm, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 42, with temperatures falling to around 40 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 12 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

42 | 26

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 37. West wind 6 to 10 mph.

37 | 19

Wed

A chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 30. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

30 | 23

Thu

A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

33 | 18

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 24

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

Mon

A chance of snow showers between noon and 3pm, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 42, with temperatures falling to around 40 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 12 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

42 | 26

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 37. West wind 6 to 10 mph.

37 | 19

Wed

A chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 30. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

30 | 23

Thu

A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

33 | 18

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 24

View Full Weather Details
Albion Basin on the return hike.

Albion Basin on the return hike.

Secret Lake, or Cecret Lake as it is also known, is one of the premier wildflower hikes in Little Cottonwood. The hike is short, family-friendly, and usually bursting with color during wildflower season. At about a mile round trip, this is a hike even young children can likely do part or most of and have a good time. Older children will love clambering around on the small boulders that line the trail

The lake is situated at the base of Sugarloaf Peak and Devils Castle, which provide a stunning background to its crystal clear waters. Though anytime is an excellent time to visit, morning light is my personal favorite.

Devils Castle with a moody sky.

Devils Castle with a moody sky.

Getting There

Little Cottonwood Canyon is on the east side of the Salt Lake City Valley. Get there by following I-215 to the east, taking exit 6 off the interstate and heading east toward the mountains.

Follow 6200 South which becomes Wasatch Blvd for 1.8 miles to the stop light and signs for Big Cottonwood Canyon. Continue south (straight) through the light an additional 2.3 miles to a junction and light. Stay left here, reaching the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in an additional 1.6 miles.

From the mouth of Little Cottonwood, travel up the canyon 11.2 miles to the signed Secret Lake Trailhead parking, just before the Albion Basin Campground.


Note: The trailhead described here starts in Albion Basin. The area is incredibly popular, and the parking can fill up by 7AM on the weekends. Even during the week, I have seen it full by 8AM. You can alternatively start this hike from the base of Alta and use the Albion Meadows trail to reach the trailhead described here. This drops the parking issue but adds about 4 miles roundtrip to the hike. There is an $8 fee (2020) to drive the road to Albion Basin above the base of Alta.
Note: The Albion Basin road usually does not open until mid-to-late June due to snow. If in doubt, check with the Town of Alta.
The trail to Secret Lake

The trail to Secret Lake

Route

Note: If you parked at the first parking lot (Catherine Pass), continue walking up the road 0.5 miles to the campground booth and gate.

From the parking area, the trail takes off from the campground booth/gate. It is well marked, wide, and easy to follow. The area is crisscrossed with trails that go to the campground and Albion Basin. Stay on the most used trail. The interpretive markers along the way offer some history and geology information and are worth the read.

After 15-20 minutes, the trail begins a steeper path up to Secret Lake proper. The setting is sublime, and an excellent break/lunch spot. Bring bug repellent; bugs can be troublesome around the lake at times.


Maps

Route / 1.71 miles / Elevation Range 9,413 - 9,885 ft.
Printable Maps:
Catherine Pass Trailhead

12T 447647mE 4492638mN

N40° 34' 58" W111° 37' 07"
Secret Lake Trailhead

12T 448118mE 4492085mN

N40° 34' 41" W111° 36' 47"
Trail

12T 448089mE 4492053mN

N40° 34' 40" W111° 36' 48"
Stay Left

12T 447869mE 4491688mN

N40° 34' 28" W111° 36' 57"
Secret Lake

12T 447392mE 4491385mN

N40° 34' 18" W111° 37' 17"

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