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Alta, Utah

Top Spots in and near Alta

  • Alta, Utah

    Cecret Lake

    4.4
    1.78 mi / 509 ft gain
    Cecret Lake is reached by driving up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Albion Basin above Alta Ski Resort. The hike is just under 1 mile to the lake and should take about 30 minutes. The hike goes through fields full of wildflowers and wildlife is abundant. Moose, deer, and various wildlife can be s...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Catherine Pass

    4 mi / 1115 ft gain
    Catherine Pass is a must do if you are in the Salt Lake vicinity in July. The wildflowers are mind-blowing. But it’s a great hike to do in the Spring, after Alta Ski Resort has closed, and the Fall as well.  It costs $6 per vehicle to drive to the trailhead, or $10 per person to ride the lift (if...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Backpack Lake Catherine and Bag Sunset Peak

    3.5
    3 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Any chance to get into the backcountry of the Wasatch Mountains is worth it. Many people day hike in the area, but not very many backpack in. The trail meets up with the Great Western Trail and overlooks Lake Catherine. The best place to camp is in the woods next to the lake. Hike down to the lak...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Hike Mount Wolverine

    4 mi / 1425 ft gain
    This mountain can be conquered two ways and is a great after-work adventure to watch the sunset, an early morning trail run, or a fun family challenge. The trail is 4 miles and 1,425 feet elevation gain (from the Alta side) or 6 miles and 2,050 feet (from the Brighton side). Both routes converge ...
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  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Ski Baldy's Main Chute at Alta Ski Area

    5.0
    Do you like hiking? In ski boots? Good.You start the hike from the gate to Snowbird at the EBT near the top of the Sugarloaf lift. The start of the bootpack is at 10,500 ft of elevation. From there, follow the likely well established boot pack to the top of Baldy. There is one rather steep sectio...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Spring Backcountry Ski Alta Ski Area

    5 mi / 1800 ft gain
    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? No problem, just head up to Alta Ski Area and get some amazing backcountry corn skiing laps in.  Drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon all the way to the top and park...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Cecret Lake from Albion Basin

    4.9
    4.48 mi / 1214 ft gain
    The out-and-back trail from Albion Basin to Cecret Lake climbs a gentle slope and along the way there are interpretive signs with information about the basin, its plants, animals and geology. From the lake you can return the same way you came, or explore the area more. If you head there during t...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Albion Meadows Trail

    4.9
    2.86 mi / 696 ft gain
    At Albion Basin, wildflowers you will see include lupine, Indian paintbrush, American bistort, sunflowers, fireweed, and many more! Drive to the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and park at the Albion Grill. There is a trail just behind the Grill that takes you through a variety of wildflowe...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Mountain Bike Catherine's Pass

    4.5 mi / 1200 ft gain
    This ride isn't for the faint of heart. It's seriously tough. It's one of the most scenic and rewarding rides you'll ever do, though. The climbing is steep and the descents are rocky.Try to ride it early in the morning. Hikers frequent these trails. An early morning rip is the best way to keep fr...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Backcountry Ski Grizzly Gulch

    1.5 mi / 1400 ft gain
    To get to the Grizzly Gulch trailhead, drive up Little Cottonwood until you reach Alta Ski Resort. Keep left along the road and park in the upper Alta parking lot. Head up the cat track with all the cats and snowmobiles parked to the side. About 100 yards up, you'll take a left and head up the st...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Milky Way Astrophotography At Alta

    4.0
    Early spring is a unique time to photograph the Milky Way due to its low angle and the distinctive perspective of its galactic core. The low angle position of the Milky Way arc during the early morning hours, prior to dawn, allows for some striking panoramas, with the still snow-covered Wasatch M...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Snowshoeing Twin Lakes Pass

    5.0
    5.21 mi / 1781 ft gain
    Starting at the parking lot near the Albion Basin gate, travel up the summer road until the second switchback. Just past the second switchback and cabins, leave the summer road heading east. The Trail heads northeast into Grizzly Gulch. It should be easy to follow—it gets a lot of traffic. From h...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Ski Little Cottonwood Canyon

    5.0
    It's no secret that Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the lower 48, if not North America. What many people are not aware of is the extremely easy and quick access from Salt Lake City.Enter the Dawn Patrollers. Skiers and snowboarders from Salt L...
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  • 10230 East Little Cottonwood Lane, Utah

    Cross Country Ski Alta Ski Area's Nordic Track

    Drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon until the first entrance into Alta. Park in the Collins lift parking lot, throw your boots on, and head over to the nordic track. Its just next to the tow rope that runs through Albion Basin. Now thats left to do is to step into your skis and ski. The track has a...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Hike Mt. Superior and Monte Cristo

    5.0
    6.25 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Mt. Superior, and its close neighbor, Monte Cristo, are two of the most iconic peaks in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Looming over Alta and Snowbird Ski resorts from the north side of the canyon, these two peaks dominate the Little Cottonwood skyline. Mt. Superior tops out at 11,132 feet, and Monte C...
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  • Alta, Utah

    Hike and Scramble Mount Superior

    5.0
    5 mi
    This is an intermediate to advanced hike. Scrambling up the ridge is more difficult but can be done by anyone with patience and a few maneuvering skills. It is best climbed in the summer months when the ridge is free of snow. However, it makes for a good winter climb for more technical experience...
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Camping and Lodging in Alta

Albion Basin
Albion Basin Road

Albion Basin

The Cliff Lodge
Sandy, Utah

The Cliff Lodge

From $300 / night

Redman Campground
Salt Lake City, Utah

Redman Campground

Tanners Flat
Sandy, Utah

Tanners Flat

Spruces   Big Cottonwood
Brighton, Utah

Spruces Big Cottonwood

Jordan Pines
Salt Lake City, Utah

Jordan Pines

Guides, Insights and Stories from Alta

The Early Bird Catches the Worm: Skiing Utah's Mt. Superior

The Early Bird Catches the Worm: Skiing Utah's Mt. Superior

Tommy Elbrecht

How to Ditch the Crowds at Donut Falls

How to Ditch the Crowds at Donut Falls

Tylyn Hansen

Make Newpark Resort Your Home Base in Park City

Make Newpark Resort Your Home Base in Park City

Sara Sheehy

Your Basecamp for Adventure in Park City, Utah

Your Basecamp for Adventure in Park City, Utah

The Outbound Collective

Go Wild at Deer Valley this Summer

Go Wild at Deer Valley this Summer

The Outbound Collective

3 Summer Adventures at Deer Valley in Park City, Utah

3 Summer Adventures at Deer Valley in Park City, Utah

The Outbound Collective