July-October (Albion Basin gate is closed at other times) *wildflowers in August!!! How is the hike this year after the wet winter? Hiking to Cecret Lake and Catherine's Pass via the Summer Road. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps me gather more travel tips for you. Water and restrooms at campground near trailhead. Do you think there will still be flowers? The trail takes you through forest meadows with pine trees and the most beautiful wildflowers! Cecret Lake is also a protected watershed for Salt Lake City. There were restrooms near the trailhead but I did not see water. During the week, Alta charges $8/car to park at the Cecret Lake Trailhead. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from May until September. It’ll make you want to move to Utah if you don’t already live here. So much so that the city of Alta provides a free shuttle bus on the weekends beginning mid July to transport hikers to the trailheads for both Lake Catherine and Cecret Lake. “Cecret Lake,” as originally spelled by resident miners, is also spelled “Secret Lake” on some maps and is approximately 450 feet higher than the trailhead in Albion Basin. Albion Basin is renowned for its vivid summer wildflowers. That’s why Alta Ski Resort is a great place to hike from. Cecret Lake Trail – Albion Basin Campground, Utah. 07/10/2020 Andrea W. Andrea W. Gorgeous scenery and wildflowers. Hiking to Cecret Lake and Catherine's Pass via the Summer Road. This area is also part of the Wasatch National Forest. Biking or swimming/wading in the water is not allowed. #11: Albion Meadows Reroute | .5 miles (one-way) | Elevation Gain: 70 feet . Sometimes this is referred to as Secret Lake. I can’t find a reason why although I’ve read … I’ve seen at least one moose on two of my three visits. Albion Basin is located in the heart of the central Wasatch Range, so pedaling through this magnificent alpine sanctuary far outweighs any discomfort experienced along the way. Is the trail still snow packed? . The Albion Basin area is one of the best and most accessible places for hikers to enjoy he outdoors. On weekends the parking lot is full and dozens of people will be relaxing around the shores of Cecret Lake. Albion Basin; Cecret Lake; hiking; summer fun; Posted by Alison Lea. Cecret/Secret Lake, Albion Basin 1 mi Roundtrip, Easy, ~1 Hour RT, Limited Service/GPS. Drive south on Wasatch Blvd. I’ve scheduled pictures up there on August 11th. Since 1938, Alta Ski Area has been a steward of Little Cottonwood Canyon, working to revegetate the mountains left barren from late-19th and early-20th century miners. The basin is truly breathtaking and the air is so cool up here. Starting the hike from this location means a 1.7 mile hike with just under 500 ft elevation gain. Beautiful photo of the lake. A repaired and improved Cecret Lake dam now on view in Little Cottonwood Canyon The thousands of visitors who hike into Little Cottonwood Canyon’s Albion Basin this summer for the annual wildflower bloom will notice a rehabbed dam at Cecret Lake. On Sunday we tried to hike Cecret Lake as a family, but it was too crowded. On weekends the parking lot is full and dozens of people will be relaxing around the shores of Cecret Lake. The lake is surrounded by quartz monzonite, commonly mistaken for granite rock. Access from the Albion Meadows Trail, Cecret Lake Trailhead. As you follow that trail, you’ll reach a point where switchbacks will take you up a rock face. July is a beautiful time to explore Albion Basin up Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon. Full bloom yet. This easy 1 mile walk is great for kids, taking photos of the amazing wildflowers in July, and possibly sighting a moose. But I don’t think they’ll be as prevalent as they are right now. (I saw two moose the first time I went on this hike!) That’s what it says on the sign pointing the way to Cecret Lake in Albion Basin, a high glacial cirque in the Wasatch mountains of Utah. This is the view of Cecret Lake from the north looking south. But the mosquitoes are out in full-force around sunset – so be prepared. Today the gate was closed to … 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. 07/10/2020 Andrea W. Andrea W. Gorgeous scenery and wildflowers. And it is never spelled the same way. The Sunnyside Chairlift Trailhead parking area is approximately 2 miles past the town of Alta on … Albion Basin is renowned for its vivid summer wildflowers. Albion Basin path to Cecret Lake - Alta Utah. 7/13/2014 05:47:00 PM Cecret Lake This Saturday we did the hike to Cecret Lake. This trail connects the Upper … I spent a couple of days in Snowbird Utah at the Cliff Lodge with friends. This is the view of Cecret Lake from the north looking south. The trail takes you through forest meadows with pine trees and the most beautiful wildflowers! This 2.2 mile, unpaved road provides access to the Catherine’s Pass and Cecret Lake trailheads, as well as the Albion Basin Campground. It is not known why the name was spelled with a C instead of an S. Assumptions are that it was named by a miner working in the area. This area is also part of the Wasatch National Forest. If you’re looking for streams, wildflowers, fossils, and a lake, this is the hike for you. Cecret Lake (yes, that is the correct spelling) is a beautiful alpine lake that sits in the heart of Alta Ski Resort. I'm heading to Wyoming for a week and will be off the internet. So maybe in the next week or so. There were restrooms near the trailhead but I did not see water. You’ll see signs that will help get you to Cecret Lake, but there are numerous paths that bring you there. You’ll drive as far as you can on pavement, parking at the Alta Ski Resort lodge (Albion Grill). If traffic is too heavy, you may not be able to drive up the dirt road to park. A plethora of wildlife, wild flowers, and rock make this a superb summer climbing destination. Jan 1, 2020 - Explore Roy Davies's board "Albion Basin" on Pinterest. The Cecret Lake trailhead (40.577986, -111.612986) is located near the Albion Basin Campground at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon.To reach the trailhead from I-215 in Salt Lake City: Take Exit 6 for 6200 S/Wasatch Blvd. Albion Basin is part of the Alta ski area, at the top of Salt Lake's Little Cottonwood Canyon. Hours: The campground is open July – September. Since 1938, Alta Ski Area has been a steward of Little Cottonwood Canyon, working to revegetate the mountains left barren from late-19th and early-20th century miners. Cecret Lake - Alta Utah. Cecret Lake, also spelled Secret Lake, is located near the town of Alta in the Albion Basin, which is famous for wildflowers that bloom mid-July through August. You’ll drive as far as you can on pavement, parking at the Alta Ski Resort lodge (Albion Grill). Albion Basin Hike. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . But why stop at the lake, when you can continue just one more mile and summit Sugarloaf Peak? If you’re trying to go in mid-July (when the wildflowers are in bloom), plan extra time to get to a parking spot. Salt Lake City Department of … What makes it even more of a treat is that it's really only open for about two months each year. After I enjoyed hiking in the Albion basin, if you make it up to the campground, then Cecret Lake is only 0.9 miles more, so of course I headed up to see the beautiful lake. My posts may contain affiliate links. 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