Biking The route has nice views down canyon and in late summer great wildflowers fill the basin. We have lots of family friendly trails with treats for all ages at the Albion Grill afterwards!! The road rises gently but steadily and is good for novice bikers who are acclimated to the mountains' thin air. After you drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill, you will find the trail just right behind the grill. I prefer meeting at the bottom of the canyon where you will then follow me to the top. The sky is an intoxicating shade of blue and the mountains are gorgeous. Across Little Cottonwood Canyon rises Mount Superior, recognized by its cockscomb peak and colorful cliffs. Go up the canyon road (UT 210) about 11 miles to the end of the road and Albion Basin. Also note that the road to the […] Review of Little Cottonwood Canyon Reviewed September 27, 2015 If you are ever in this canyon in August you can find the best wildflowers if you hike through Albion Basin up to Cecret Lake. So 2.8 miles up feels like 5. The wildflower bloom here is world famous, and for good reason. At Albion Basin, wildflowers you will see include lupine, Indian paintbrush, American bistort, sunflowers, fireweed, and many more! Go early in the morning for the best chance at solitude. Salt Lake City is conveniently close... • TurnKey photo-verifies this home is professionally cleaned with products approved by the EPA for use against COVID-19. To reach the trailhead from I-215 in Salt Lake City: Take Exit 6 for 6200 S/Wasatch Blvd. Closer to your front wheel, you'll see an array of wildflowers as varied as a Peterson Field Guide. Hike: Mt. Drive south on Wasatch Blvd. The wild flowers are going off in the basin, it is a great time to enjoy a hike and see the beautiful flowers!! Length: Coronavirus Updates: Stay current on the latest news and park access. "Though most hikers enter from Big Cottonwood at Silver Lake, or the Brighton Ski Resort parking lot, trailheads are also found in the Albion Basin area of Little Cottonwood Canyon," he says. You will have to share the dirt and gravel road with vehicles, but there is plenty of room for all. It is an easy hike but great for all … The Catherine Pass trailhead (40.582903, -111.618494) is located in Albion Basin near the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Albion Basin Campground, just 15 miles from Sandy, Utah, is set among shady white pines and aspens in its beautiful namesake basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon at an elevation of 9,500 feet. Albion Basin Campground is located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, near Alta, Utah and many years does not open for use until July 4th or later due to snow depths. "Though most hikers enter from Big Cottonwood at Silver Lake, or the Brighton Ski Resort parking lot, trailheads are also found in the Albion Basin area of Little Cottonwood Canyon," he says. This out-and-back is 3 miles each way, with 820 feet of altitude gain. Albion Basin Experience. The trail is pretty easy and only gains about 460ft for the 0.8 mile it takes to get to the lake. Parking for this hike is in the Sunnyside area. The climbing is steep and the descents are rocky.Try to ride it early in the morning. Because it is … You can return via a more challenging 4wd road. 6 miles out and back Albion Basin Campground (40.57639, -111.61278) The trail starts at the west side of the Albion Basin Campground, at the top of the Little Cottonwood Canyon Road. You just need to drive to the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and if you want to do the full hike and not have to pay anything- there is a huge parking lot at Albion Grill, The trail is easy to find and is just behind the grill. To reach the trailhead from I-215 in Salt Lake City: Take Exit 6 for 6200 S/Wasatch Blvd. Protect it. Drive up little cottonwood, through a gate guarded by a nice person giving out trail maps. Weekend Camp-out in Albion Basin (Little Cottonwood Canyon) August 17, 2020 August 12, 2020. The trail is 9.8 miles out and back, and the elevation climb is nearly 4,000 feet, but if you're looking for some solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon, this is the trail for you. Michael McFall | The Salt Lake Tribune Albion Meadow Basin, in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Location: The trailhead for this route is the same one that you use for “Cecret Lake”. This area is also prone … If you want alpenglow on Devils Castle, the best time to shoot is at sunset. I would only suggest this option if you don't plan on getting out of your car (but what fun is that!?). for 3.9 miles. Industry Website, Alta Ski Resort (park by the Goldminer's Daughter Lodge). Michael McFall | The Salt Lake Tribune Albion Meadow Basin, in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Pull into the Albion Basin Campground - you'll find the trailhead on the west side. I think Alta has some of the best scenery in Little Cottonwood Canyon and if you hike to Cecret Lake you will see just about all of it! Drive a little further on Little Cottonwood Canyon Road to reach the trailhead for Cecret Lake (an easier but equally fun hike) and the Albion basin campground. The hike starts at the parking lot that also services the Albion Basin Campground, another reason why the parking lost is so full and the hike is so popular. The trailhead for the Cecret Lake Hike begins at the entrance to this campground, and the Catherine's Pass Trail is just During the right months, this hike offers an incredible array of wildflowers with beautiful mountain scenery. Ski In/Ski Out W/ Private Hot Tub, Steps To Dining. Make sure you get there early because the parking lot fills up quickly. You must hike up away from the highway to find other spots to camp. Fantastic views of Albion basin, keep your mind off of the steep first section of this trail. It's a fairly steep incline all the way up! Albion Basin Hiking This popular and scenic hiking trail is located up Little Cottonwood Canyon and gives you a front row seat to experience vibrant wild flowers during the peak of summer (usually late June through mid to late July). That means – no dogs (or other domesticated animals). Albion Basin is about 45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Alternatively, hike to Catherine's Pass and soak up the stunning of upper Big Cottonwood Canyon. This hike has a steady incline all the way, and is very good exercise. Directions • Drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon until you reach Alta Ski Resort. *REMEMBER* this route is IN a watershed of Salt Lake City. The Trail: Located at the end of the Little Cottonwood Road, the Albion Basin. This area of Little Cottonwood Canyon is known for it’s beautiful wildflowers, and it’s a very popular trail as a result. Natural Features: Albion Basin is renowned for its vivid summer wildflowers. The ride is a broad, smooth dirt road that climbs up to a camping area below Cecret Lake. A great area to explore with wild flowers covering the basin in the summertime - phenomenal place to sit and chill! Here’s what to Expect when shooting at Albion Basin. Albion Basin can be found in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Still have the skiing itch but it's late in the spring and the resorts have closed and the other backcountry skiing areas have melted? Regarding time of year, the wildflower season at Albion Basin typically peaks around the middle of July. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Directions: Take Exit 295 from I-15 in Sandy and go east on UT 209 toward the Snowbird and Alta ski resorts.Go 5 miles to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Dogs are not allowed in Little Cottonwood Canyon - not even in your vehicle Please respect closed trail signs and do not pick or trample the wildflowers. The views are beautiful and the path is wide. …and so we experienced it this weekend! Below I’ve organized my favorite trails based on the trailhead to make choosing easier. UPDATE: NOW BOOKING 2020 ALBION BASIN SESSIONS. There is a trail just behind the Grill that takes you through a variety of wildflowers and offers great mountain views. Albion Basin is located up Little Cottonwood Canyon at the Alta Ski resort. Fantastic views of Albion basin, keep your mind off of the steep first section of this trail. Albion Basin is part of the Alta ski area, at the top of Salt Lake's Little Cottonwood Canyon. Hiking Continue past the resort to a guard shack where friendly volunteers will give you a map and advice. No problem, just head up to Alta Ski Area and get some amazing backcountry corn skiing laps in. We have lots of family friendly trails with treats for all ages at the Albion Grill afterwards!! 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. The hike is free, but parking is limited, so I recommend arriving early on a weeknight or on the weekends. © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The Albion Basin Hike is a fun, short, family-friendly hike that circles around Cecret Lake (pronounced secret). Deer, birds and oftentimes moose. No swimming. Albion Basin is located up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The first half mile of the trail is flat, and you can enjoy the wildflowers and views of the surrounding peaks during your leisurely walk. I hiked from Alta up to Cecret Lake (with a toddler on my back) and it kind of kicked my butt!! Albion Basin Trailhead at Alta Ski Area It was on that trip that I wanted to see how to get into this area from the Alta side, up Little Cottonwood Canyon. A sense of humor and common courtesy is needed here during the busy times, especially at sunset since this is a popular destination for family photos during the bloom. Continue south (straight) through the light an additional 2.3 miles to a junction and light. Drive up the canyon to Alta Ski Resort and park at the base; you'll find the trailhead right behind Albion Grill. Due north are the more gentle landforms of Flagstaff Mountain and Davenport Hill. There is no cost to park here, for now (Year 2019). Stay left here, reaching the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in an additional 1.6 miles. If you're feeling kind of lazy, you can continue along the Albion Basin Road. Hiking, fishing, mountain biking and rock climbing are other outdoor activities that can be enjoyed. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Keep left along the road and park in the upper Alta parking lot. The Lisa Falls trail is a short kid friendly hike, which can be enjoyed by all ages. Words cannot express my love for wildflowers. Review of Little Cottonwood Canyon Reviewed September 27, 2015 If you are ever in this canyon in August you can find the best wildflowers if you hike through Albion Basin up to Cecret Lake. Lane figured 500 to 1,000 hike to Donut Falls on busy days, and the parking areas at Albion Basin trailheads often are full on weekends. Albion Basin is just a short 2.5 mile hike from Brighton. From here, drive up the dirt road to the campground where there is a parking lot with a few dozen spots. Hike the 1.5 mile Upper Albion Meadows in order to access any of these other trails to make a truly rewarding Alta adventure. At Albion Basin, wildflowers you will see include lupine, Indian paintbrush, American bistort, sunflowers, fireweed, and many more! With eight trailheads and 42 destinations, choosing a hike in Little Cottonwood Canyon is more an issue of too many choices rather than trying to find the right fit. An on... Overview Follow the dirt road until it ends at a campground directly below devils castle. Cecret Lake (40.5713401, -111.6215889) The trail runs west from the campground. As you hike up the trail, keep right to get a view of Devils Castle (maybe 1/4 mile). Pull into the Albion Basin Campground - you'll find the trailhead on the west side. From the trailhead, you'll follow in the shadow of ski lifts as you rise above Albion Basin. At this junction (with a big flashing message sign) drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon for 11 miles to a parking lot on the left side of the road just before the Albion Basin Campground. Protect it. At Alta ski resort, a broad gravel road climbs Albion Basin. Albion Basin is … The easy trail is just 1.7 miles out and back. We have seen lots of wildlife on this hike. Cell phone service is spotty while on the trail. We look forward to seeing you up here!!! Keep an eye out for moose and deer as they are always hanging around this area. We are excited for the 2018 summer season! Albion Basin (Little Cottonwood). To get to the trailhead, drive to the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. There is also a 'drive-thru' option: to gain easy access, but not as convenient parking, keep driving straight until Little Cottonwood Canyon Road turns into a dirt road called Albion Basin Road. See more ideas about albion basin, albion, utah. We are excited for the 2018 summer season! We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. adventures and follow local regulations. Editor's Choice: 7 Florida Kayaking Spots That'll Show You A Magical Side Of The Sunshine State The area sits in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, a breathtaking area full of … Within walking distance to Snowbird’s pedestrian village, The Cliff Lodge offers comfortable lodging for the whole family or group. If you're looking for a late bite to eat after waiting out sunset, try the Porcupine Grill at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, or Akasaka Sushi on 6196 Highland Drive. Address: Located at the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Just past the second switchback and cabins, leave the summer road heading east. Simply park at the Albion Base and follow the signs. The last 2.5 miles of the road is graded, but is definitely open to low clearance vehicles. An incredible display that is not to be missed! Easy Much of the surrounding terrain, as formidable as it appears, is skiable. The trailhead begins in a forest right next to the Albion Basin Campground. continue up the canyon, little cottonwood continues and eventually turns to dirt. We look forward to seeing you up here!!! But the descent was a breeeeze!! The route follows the 2-mile, all-weather Albion Basin Summer Road from the base of Alta Ski Area, located at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, to the national forest's Albion Basin Campground. Just past Alta Ski Area at the end of Little Cottonwood Canyon the road turns to dirt and climbs gently up to Albion Campground. Redman Campground is located in scenic Big Cottonwood Canyon at an elevation of 8,300 feet. There is no cost to park here, for now (Year 2019). You can drive on a dirt road and get further up the canyon, but we enjoyed starting at the bottom of Albion Basin and hiking up to Cecret Lake. There are not many other spots to camp near the canyon bottom. *REMEMBER* this route is IN a watershed of Salt Lake City. The trail takes you through forest meadows with pine trees and the most beautiful wildflowers! Take lots of snacks and water. 40.591905, -111.627293 It climbs a gentle slope, with about 300 feet of elevation gain. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/albion-meadows-trail The agency counted 70,000 people last year passing through the Silver Lake visitors center, and that doesn't include the thousands more who strolled the boardwalk that encircles the shallow, reedy lake tucked under craggy peaks at the head of Big Cottonwood. Note: The trailhead described here starts in Albion Basin. Read More! It is well-marked and easy to find. Albion Basin at Alta is famous for wildflowers and is one of the most photographed areas in northern Utah. Hiking, trail running, and backcountry camping are allowed but dogs, horses, mountain bikes, and swimming are not. Trail Type: Drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill. Michael McFall | The Salt Lake Tribune Albion Meadow Basin, in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Because it sits at approximately 9800 ft above sea level, it’s only accessible to hikers for about two months in the summer once the town of Alta opens the gate to allow cars to get to the trailhead. Copyright © 2020 Utah.com. I saw maybe 50 other people the whole time!! Jan 1, 2020 - Explore Roy Davies's board "Albion Basin" on Pinterest. Albion Basin Campground is located at the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Range. Bear left onto UT-210/Little Cottonwood Canyon Road and continue up the canyon 12.7 miles. It should ... To get to the Grizzly Gulch trailhead, drive up Little Cottonwood until you reach Alta Ski Resort. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your The trailhead for the Cecret Lake Hike begins at the entrance to this campground, and the Catherine's Pass Trail is just After an initial climb, things level off for about 0.25 miles until another short climb brings you to an alpine meadow (a bog in the Spring). Looking across the basin, you'll have wonderful views of Devil's Castle and the rest of Alta Ski Resort. Alta Ski Resort (park by the Goldminer's Daughter Lodge) From the base of the canyon, Alta ski resort is about 15 minutes up and is located in the town of Alta. They grow on their own in the least expected places. Forest: Wasatch-Cache National Forest District: Salt Lake Ranger District Description: The Wasatch-Cache National Forest is home to many spectacular wildflower-viewing sites in the Intermountain Region. The Trail heads northeast into Grizzly Gulch. 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. The snow just melted a week or two ago up here so this place is going crazy woth the wildflowers! The easy trail is just 1.7 miles out and back. We park at the Albion basin lot, and hike to Cecret Lake. The amazing meadow at sunset on the hike to Cecret Lake. Albion Basin. Albion Basin Hike. There is no place like Albion Basin when the flowers are in full blossom. It is teaming with life and perfect for photography or wildlife watching. Albion Basin Campground 12T 448084mE 4492075mN N40° 34' 40" W111° 36' 48" ALBION MEADOWS - LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON Rating: Easy Hike Length: 1+ hours Gear: Standard Hiking Gear Maps: DROMEDARY PEAK, UT; BRIGHTON, UT Water: None Season: Summer, Fall Waypoints: Hype After a quick loop through the campground, simply retrace your tracks back down the road to the trailhead. Take this hike in late July / early August and you will be treated to an explosion of color. Little Cottonwood Canyon is home to many hiking opportunities for all ages, and abilities. The setting is quite spectacular: Devils Castle and Sugarloaf Mountain watch over the area, and the ground is literally covered with wildflowers in summer. Albion Basin. The ride is a broad, smooth dirt road that climbs up to a camping area below Cecret Lake. You should have no problem finding it if you type Albion Basin into your GPS. Sunrise is a lot quieter, and can offer a different perspective, so don't rule it out as an option. Drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill. Located at the end of the Little Cottonwood Road, the Albion Basin. Cecret Lake is a small glacial pond, or tarn, cupped beneath Devils Castle. Difficulty: As the grade eases up a wetland ecosystem is encountered, and from the pass, Big Cottonwood Canyon presents Lakes Catherine, Mary, and Martha. Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah Picture: Albion Basin wildflowers - Check out Tripadvisor members' 3,922 candid photos and videos of Little Cottonwood Canyon Our #1 go-to hike in the Alta area. It is a popular, beautiful hike that leads to a gorgeous lake set just under Sugarloaf Peak. Albion Basin Campground is located near the trailhead and can be reserved. But one trail stands out from all the rest. There are two campgrounds in Little Cottonwood Canyon called Tanner's Flat (in mid-canyon) and Albion Basin (in Alta, at the end of the canyon). Difficulty: Our Troop left from the Catherine Pass Trailhead in the Albion Basin on Friday evening around 6pm. The wild flowers are going off in the basin, it is a great time to enjoy a hike and see the beautiful flowers!! To get to the trailhead, drive to the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Easy Albion Basin Family Pictures are THE BEST. Albion Grill . Albion Basin Campground is located at the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Range. With eight trailheads and 42 destinations, choosing a hike in Little Cottonwood Canyon is more an issue of too many choices rather than trying to find the right fit. It had just snowed high up in the mountains so I figured it would be a great time to do this hike to see if I could get some good photos! I went on a Wednesday afternoon in July and it really wasnt crowded! You’ll drive as far as you can on pavement, parking at the Alta Ski Resort lodge (Albion Grill). Cecret Lake is a beautiful alpine lake high in the Wasatch Mountains that offers beautiful views of the Albion Basin and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Cecret Lake Trail is a short hike that’s best done in summer and fall. Little Cottonwood Canyon Trails. Tuscarora. As the grade eases up a wetland ecosystem is encountered, and from the pass, Big Cottonwood Canyon presents Lakes Catherine, Mary, and Martha. Starting at the parking lot near the Albion Basin gate, travel up the summer road until the second switchback. It's seriously tough. Cecret Lake is a beautiful alpine lake high in the Wasatch Mountains that offers beautiful views of the Albion Basin and Little Cottonwood Canyon. 1 of 10 View Caption. This out-and-back is 3 miles each way, with 820 feet of altitude gain. Hiking to the Albion Basin and Cecret Lake up at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon is one of my favorite s. 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